Smart Meters Halted by Regulators in IndianaBy Warren Woodward Duke Energy wanted to raise rates in Indiana in order to install $1.9 billion worth of smart meters and related paraphernalia. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission denied Duke Energy saying: There are some important takeaways here. 1) Appropriately, smart grid costs are being scrutinized before installation. That did not happen in Arizona. 2) Estimates must be based on sufficient evidence. That does not happen in Arizona either. For example, APSs absurd meter reading cost estimates was just APS winging some numbers at the Arizona Corporation Commission and hoping some would stick. And they would have, too, had not citizens complained and appealed. 3) Unlike in Arizona, other parties in Indiana are considered important enough that they, in addition to the Regulatory Commission, are entitled to accurate evidence. 4) Rate increases are always necessary for smart grid installation. They have to be because, despite industry hype, the smart grid is not a cost savings but a huge, major expenditure. In evaluating the Order issued by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, smart grid analyst K.T. Weaver made the following observations: From the Order by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission: Analysis: Note that the above so-called quantifiable benefits are for the utility to eliminate the jobs of meter readers and reduce theft. Analysis: What does the soft benefit of customers better understanding their energy usage have to do with the utilitys sole obligation to provide electric utility service, the plain meaning of which is described in the Indiana commission order as the infrastructure necessary to transmit electricity from the generation facility to the customer? It doesnt. The future benefit of time-of-use pricing rates would also favor the utility by being able to charge dramatically higher rates during the day. Most consumers are not able to shift meaningful amounts of energy usage to the middle of the night; thus, this future benefit is not a benefit at all. Sources: ORDER OF THE COMMISSION http://www.in.gov/oucc/files/44526_Order.pdf Indiana Regulators Reject Smart Meters for Duke Energy State regulators reject Duke Energys request for rate hike 