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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bob Freeman |
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Freeman smart meters legislation approved by House
HARRISBURG, Feb. 14 – Rep. Bob Freeman’s proposal to require electric utilities to provide smart meters to their customers so they can save money on energy costs passed the House this week.
The proposal would provide cost savings by allowing customers to buy electricity at cheaper, off-peak periods. Freeman’s smart-meter language was amended into H.B. 2200, a measure that would provide for the implementation of cost-effective programs to reduce energy demand and consumption in Pennsylvania.
Freeman, D-Northampton, said his measure would also require utilities to offer rate information that allows customers to voluntarily shift their electricity use to non-peak periods to save on their electric bills.
“Smart meters are an important part of any strategy to reduce energy costs for consumers and conserve energy,” Freeman said. “Smart meters provide a direct cost savings to consumers that use them. The technology also benefits utilities by reducing energy demand at its most expensive peak period when the purchasing of energy by utilities is the most costly. “
Freeman’s proposal gives utilities 10 years to phase in smart meters for all customers.
“In the Lehigh Valley, PPL has already installed these meters for its customers, allowing the utility to more easily identify power outages and the need for repairs, thereby cutting down on customer complaints,” Freeman noted. “Smart-meter technology truly provides a win-win situation for both customers and utilities, and gets us closer to the goal of achieving real energy conservation.”
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