Regulators to review link between smart meters, fires

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Public Utilities Commission on Thursday voted to move forward with a review into smart meters and whether there is a link between them and several fires reported in Northern Nevada.

The order directed NV Energy to “file requested information with the commission regarding the advanced metering infrastructure.”

The decision to move forward was prompted by Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez and Sparks Fire Chief Tom Garrison, who have reported that four fires in Reno and five in Sparks since 2012 may be linked to smart meters.

The state Consumer Protection Bureau, in a filing in support of the effort, urged the commission to speed up the process from 60 days to 30 days, but that recommendation was not made part of the action.

“The (bureau) is seriously concerned about the report of fires and the possible involvement of the advanced metering infrastructure, or so-called smart meters,” the filing said.

Once the information is provided to PUC staff, the commission will vote on whether to launch a formal investigation.

Pat Egan, senior vice president of customer operations at NV Energy, said the utility is gathering the information.

“We have also complied with all other requests for information from other regulatory and public safety organizations, including the recent review undertaken by the state fire marshal,” he told the commission.

Safety of customers, employees and equipment is the utility’s No. 1 priority, Egan said.

“We are working with forensic experts, the state fire marshal, local fire departments, as well as the manufacturer to determine what will be the best course of action to take going forward,” he said.

“While we have not determined what mitigation may be needed, we will do whatever it takes to ensure the safe delivery of electricity to our customers.”

Although Northern Nevada fire officials have called for an investigation into the safety of the meters, their counterparts in Clark County aren’t ready to call them a fire hazard.

“It’s not something that has jumped up and been a problem,” Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Syzmanski said in an interview last month.

In the past year, four house fires involved the meters, Syzmanski said. Only nearby panel boxes or meters were burned.

NV Energy has installed 1.2 million smart meters on homes and businesses across the state.

The utility has reported that the meters have allowed it to realize substantial savings, a major factor in the modest rate increase for residential customers in Southern Nevada recently approved by the commission that will start Jan. 1.

Utility customers can opt out of using a smart meter, but there is a charge. In Southern Nevada it is a one-time set up charge of $52.86 plus $8.82 a month.

Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.