Sempra unit, consumers compromise on meters

Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric said it reached a compromise with consumer advocates on a proposal to spend $572 million on advanced meters.

Advanced meters contain communications equipment that enables the utility to record energy consumption data remotely, eliminating the need for workers to read the meters manually. The meters also may provide consumers with detailed data about power consumption.

Consumer advocates take part in such talks because capital improvement costs are passed on to ratepayers. The agreement still must be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.