HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220614_3.PACE2209_cs.pdfDECISION MEMORANDUM 1
DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSIONER CHATBURN
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: CLAIRE SHARP
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: JUNE 14, 2022
SUBJECT: IN THE MATTER OF TAMI THATCHER’S FORMAL COMPLAINT
AGAINST ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER; CASE NO. PAC-E-22-09.
On May 2, 2022, Tami Thatcher, a customer of PacifiCorp d/b/a Rocky Mountain Power
Company (“Rocky Mountain” or “Company”) filed a formal complaint against the Company
requesting a formal opt-out of its smart meter program—alleging the Company provided
misinformation about its smart meter program and that radio frequency emissions from smart
meters cause health problems to consumers. See Formal Complaint Attachment A. Ms. Thatcher
filed her complaint after becoming unsatisfied with the outcome of informal proceedings.
FORMAL COMPLAINT
Ms. Thatcher believes that a Company representative assured her she could opt-out of the
smart meter program before notifying her opting out was unavailable to residents of Idaho. Ms.
Thatcher claims misinformation in the Company’s Smart Meter handouts and informational
brochures obscure and minimize the risks of smart meters to consumer health. Ms. Thatcher
criticizes current studies on smart meter safety as being incomplete and failing to adequately
protect consumers. Ms. Thatcher also alleges that radio frequency emissions, such as those in
smart meters, have caused or aggravated her health problems—including insomnia, increased
tinnitus, and heart palpitations. Finally, Ms. Thatcher criticizes the Commission’s formal
complaint process as being onerous, and that it deters the airing of consumer grievances.
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Commission issue a Summons to the Company directing it to answer
or otherwise respond to the complaint within twenty-one (21) days. Staff also recommends the
Commission allow fourteen (14) days for interested persons to reply to the Company’s answer.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to:
(1) Issue a Summons to Rocky Mountain giving the Company twenty-one (21)
days to respond to the Summons?
(2) Allow replies within fourteen (14) days of the response deadline?
______________________________
Claire Sharp
Deputy Attorney General
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