Establishes certain consumer rights for the protection of consumer health, safety and/or privacy needs related to utility meters.
Summary
This bill would add a new section to the General Business Law creating consumer rights around utility meter selection for electric, water, and gas service. It defines “analog utility meters” as electro-mechanical meters and “digital utility meters” as electronic or radiofrequency-based meters, and it gives consumers the right to refuse installation of a digital meter or to request replacement of a digital meter with an analog one, without any fee, penalty, or service charge.
The bill also requires utilities to provide at least 90 days’ written notice before installing a digital meter, and that notice must explain the consumer’s right to decline installation and later request removal. In multi-unit buildings or properties, utilities would be barred from installing or upgrading digital meters if 50 percent or more of the affected consumers decline permission. The bill directs utilities to keep records of consumer responses for at least three years and authorizes the Public Service Commission to adopt implementing rules.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend New York’s General Business Law by adding section 349-h and would impose new obligations on electric, water, and gas corporations regarding meter replacement, notice, recordkeeping, and compliance timelines. It would create a statutory right for consumers to opt out of digital utility meters and to request analog meters, potentially affecting utility deployment of advanced metering infrastructure and related billing or service practices across the state.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose is consumer protection, health, safety, and privacy, and the text reflects a strong consumer-choice orientation. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented legislative debate or formal voting sentiment to assess; however, the bill’s framing suggests support from advocates concerned about privacy, electromagnetic exposure, and utility control over meter technology.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s restrictions on utility meter modernization, especially the requirement to honor consumer refusals and the prohibition on installing digital meters in multi-unit properties when a majority of consumers object. Utilities may view the notice, replacement, and recordkeeping mandates as operationally burdensome, while supporters are likely to emphasize privacy, health concerns, and the right to choose analog service. The bill also specifically references electromagnetic sensitivity and radiofrequency radiation, which may be disputed as a basis for regulation.
Prohibits utility companies from limiting the eligibility of a net metering site based on prior consumption and requires excess energy not consumed under the net metering system to be credited to the consumer.