Section 57.252. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Advanced meter network or network—A communications infrastructure that upgrades an existing meter system in an EDC service territory to provide for automated meter reading or other services and is used for customer billing.

Advanced meter standards—A set of standards which define minimum compatibility, accuracy and functional requirements for an advanced meter, meter-related device or network as applicable.

Commission—The Public Utility Commission of the Commonwealth.

EDC—Electric distribution company—A public utility providing facilities for the jurisdictional transmission and distribution of electricity to retail customers, except building or facility owners/operators that manage an internal distribution system which serves a building or facility and which supplies electric power and other related electric power services to occupants of that building or facility.

EGS—Electric generation supplier—A person or corporation, including municipal corporations which choose to provide service outside their municipal limits except to the extent provided prior to January 1, 1997, brokers, and marketers, aggregators or other entities, that sells to end-use customers electricity or related services utilizing the jurisdictional transmission or distribution facilities of an EDC or that purchases, brokers, arranges or markets electricity or related services for sale to end-use customers utilizing the jurisdictional transmission and distribution facilities of an EDC. The term excludes building or facility owner/operators that manage the internal distribution system serving the building or facility. The term excludes electric cooperative corporations except as provided in 15 Pa.C.S. Chapter 74 (relating to generation choice for customers of electric cooperatives).

Metering committee or committee—An advisory body to the Commission which advises on advanced metering matters and which consists of, to the extent possible, an equal number of representatives of EDCs, EGSs, as well as consumer, environmental and EDC electrical worker union representatives.

Meter-related device—A device identified through the process established under this subchapter which may be attached to an existing standard meter that supports the provision of generation services in a competitive market and meets certain advanced meter standards.

Modify a profile interval—A function which permits a meter to store information on a variety of subhourly and hourly time intervals.

Multiple callout capability—A function which permits more than one party to have remote access to an advanced meter.

Net incremental cost—An analysis of the difference between the costs associated with existing standard meters and those with the advanced capabilities of the particular advanced meter or meter-related device at issue. The analysis should take into account the acquisition cost of the meter or meter-related device, including economies of scale, as well as costs associated with its installation, reading and maintenance.

Password protection—A function which permits a meter to provide information only to parties with legitimate access rights.

Pulse output—A function which permits a meter to provide pulses, when each pulse represents a specific amount of electric usage.

Qualified advanced meter—A customer’s billing meter identified through the process established under this subchapter that supports the provision of generation services in a competitive market and meets certain advanced meter standards established by the Commission.

Retail electric customer or customer—A direct user of electric power as defined by 66 Pa.C.S. § 2803 (relating to definitions).