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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.09.19 - 21006REPORT September 19, 2013 BY: GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE — Christine Long, Chairperson RE. MR #13229 BOARD CF commigsiriN.PRS APPOSMON TO FEES APPROwn Rv THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO WISH TO OPT. OUT OF THE SMART METER OR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: The General Government Committee, having considered the above titled resolution on September 9, 2013 hereby recommends that the resolution be adopted. Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move the acceptance of the foregoing report. GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE CJ ck GENERAL GOVERNMENT Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Crawford voting no and Hatchett absent. Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. Jii—Wunestad, District 6 Miscellaneous Resolution # 13229 BY: Commissioners Nancy Quarles, District 17 and Jim Runestad, District 6 RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — OPPOSITION TO FEES APPROVED BY THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR CUSTOMERS WHO WISH TO OPT-OUT OF THE SMART METER OR ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Miscellaneous Resolution #12134 on June 21, 2012 calling for fair treatment and no economic penalty for electricity customers who choose not to participate in the smart meter program; and WHEREAS numerous other local units of government in Oakland County have passed resolutions expressing concerns and caution in the installation of smart meters; and WHEREAS the Michigan Attorney General has provided extensive evidence that questions the economic soundness of the smart meter program and excessive level of the opt out fees; and WHEREAS the Michigan Public Service Commission ignored these concerns that have been expressed throughout the state and approved fees penalizing customers who choose not to have a smart meter installed on their property for a one- time fee of $123.91 after smart meter installation or $69.39 before installation and with a monthly charge of $9.72 in perpetuity; and WHEREAS complaints are already being heard about the smart meters or AM! devices being installed without notification or information to the customer of their rights to opt out; and WHEREAS adding to the unfairness of the approved fee structure are the increased electricity rates that customers who choose to opt out will be paying that will be used to pay for the installation and operation of meters they will not be using; and WHEREAS no provision has been made for low income customers who cannot afford these additional fees; and WHEREAS the report issued by the staff of the MPSC does not meet the standard of a significant investigation into the health and privacy concerns of residents; and WHEREAS during the comment period while MPSC was studying the smart meter issue 84% of comments received indicated customers would opt out or deny the installation of smart meters on their property; and WHEREAS electricity providers in Oakland County have not undertaken any major effort to explain the safety or necessity of these meters; and WHEREAS electricity providers are beginning the process of notifying residents of their intent to begin the smart meter program in this region without undertaking an effort at public education or giving customers adequate information about their rights not to participate; and WHEREAS the MPSC report cites the importance of public education in the success of this type of program, quoting the Maryland Public Services Commission The negative experiences in other states . . illustrate vividly that poor customer education will magnify small-scale problems and create disproportionate customer skepticism and unhappiness."; and WHEREAS Article VII, Section 15 of the Michigan Constitution states Any county, when authorized by its Board of Supervisors, shall have the authority to enter or to intervene in any action or certificate proceeding involving the services, charges or rates of any privately owned public utility furnishing services or commodities to rate payers within the county". NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby expresses its opposition to the opt-out fees approved for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Michigan as unfair and excessive. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners requests electric utility providers to cease current efforts to install smart meters in Oakland County until such time as a thorough public education/awareness campaign is undertaken in the County to advise residents of their rights and protections for their health and safety. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourage Michigan's Attorney General to continue his appeals on behalf of consumers for a sensible and fair approach to the introduction of this new technology. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Governor Rick Snyder, the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties; Attorney General Bill Schuette; the Michigan Public Services Commission; Consumers Power; Detroit Edison and the Oakland County legislative lobbyists. Commissioner District # Commissioner Disl4Gt # 'Commoner uS Commissi Distric atttLf-14/ Commission District # IVO-MLA-4— ,;:tf,A) ti 4 ommissioner District #01 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #13229 August 29, 2013 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no nhiectjons. Resolution #13229 September 19, 2013 Moved by Long supported by Runestad the resolution be adopted. Moved by Lung supported by Runestad the General Government Committee Report be accepted. Discussion followed. Moved by Taub supported by McGillivray to refer the resolution back to the General Government Committee. Discussion followed. Commissioner Runestad addressed the Board to object referring the resolution back to the General Government Committee. Discussion followed. Commissioner Hoffman addressed the Board to object referring the resolution back to the General Government Committee. Discussion followed. Commissioner Hatchett addressed the Board requesting that the resolution be on the 2 nd General Government Committee meeting held on October 21, 2013. Discussion followed. Vote on resolution to be referred back to the General Government Committee: AYES: Hatchett, Jackson, Matis, McGillivray, Middleton, Quarles, Spisz, Taub, VVelpert, Woodward, Zack, Bosnic, Crawford, Dwyer, Gershenson, Gingell. (16) NAYS: Gosselin, Hoffman, Long, Runestad, Scott. (5) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution be referred back to the General Government Committee and placed on the October 21, 2013 Agenda.