PSO's smart meter rollout here in Tulsa has been an absolute nightmare. They started installing Sensus iConA meters in 2020 and the billing errors are off the charts. I've got six commercial clients who saw their bills double or triple overnight after installation. One trucking company went from $3,200/month to $9,800 in December with no change in operations. PSO's explanation? 'The old meters were running slow.' But they can't provide any calibration data to support that claim. Their customer service is completely overwhelmed and wait times are 2+ hours. Anyone else dealing with PSO's incompetence?
PSO smart meter disaster - anyone else dealing with this mess?
Rick, I'm not in PSO territory but we had similar issues with Ameren Illinois. The problem often isn't the meter accuracy itself but how the utility configures the billing system for the new AMI data. Smart meters capture much more granular information than mechanical meters - 15-minute intervals, power factor, voltage readings, etc. If the billing system isn't properly programmed to handle this data, you get garbage bills. Have you requested the raw interval data from PSO? That's usually the smoking gun that proves billing errors.
Entergy Arkansas went through this exact same mess two years ago. The key is documenting everything and filing formal complaints with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Don't just complain to PSO customer service - they're trained to deflect and delay. I helped several clients get six-figure refunds by proving the billing algorithms were applying incorrect multipliers to the AMI data. The utility will eventually fix their system but they won't voluntarily refund overcharges unless you force them through regulatory channels.
Kenneth, that's exactly what I'm seeing. I finally got PSO to provide interval data for one client and found the smoking gun. The smart meter was recording accurate consumption but the billing system was applying a 3.5x multiplier that should only apply to CT-rated installations. This was a direct-connected meter serving a small office building. The multiplier error added $4,800 to their January bill. PSO admitted the error but claims it will take 6-8 weeks to identify and correct all affected accounts. Meanwhile, customers are getting shut-off notices for phantom charges.
Rick, Randy here from Memphis. I dealt with similar issues when MLGW rolled out their AMI system. The biggest lesson learned is that utilities often rush smart meter deployments without properly testing their billing system integration. They focus on the hardware installation but neglect the backend software that processes all that new data. Document every interaction with PSO, keep copies of all bills, and don't let them pressure you into payment plans for disputed charges. The OCC takes these cases seriously when utilities screw up this badly.
The pattern I've seen with botched AMI rollouts is that utilities eventually get their act together, but it can take 6-12 months of chaos. ComEd in Illinois had massive billing problems when they first deployed smart meters in 2012-2013. Thousands of customers got estimated bills for months because the AMI data wasn't properly integrated with their billing system. They eventually fixed it but customers had to fight for refunds. The key is staying organized and persistent. Keep detailed records of everything.
Update: PSO finally assigned a dedicated team to handle smart meter billing complaints. They've admitted to 'systematic errors' affecting approximately 15,000 accounts. The company is offering expedited reviews for accounts that saw bill increases of 50% or more after meter installation. They're also waiving late fees and reconnection charges for affected customers. It's progress but I'm still skeptical they'll identify and fix all the problems. Anyone know a good attorney who specializes in utility billing disputes?
Rick, glad to hear PSO is finally taking responsibility. For legal help, I'd recommend reaching out to the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives - they maintain a list of attorneys who specialize in utility law. Also consider filing a class action complaint with the OCC. If 15,000 accounts are affected, there's probably grounds for a broader investigation. The commission has authority to order refunds with interest for billing errors caused by utility negligence.
This PSO situation highlights why I always recommend getting baseline usage data before any meter change. Having 12-24 months of historical consumption makes it much easier to prove billing errors after AMI installation. Also push for independent meter testing - utilities hate this because it costs money, but it's often the only way to definitively prove accuracy issues. The key is not letting them wear you down with delays and bureaucracy.
Randy, great advice about baseline data. I wish I'd thought of that before the installations. PSO has now identified billing errors on four of my six affected clients. Total overcharges of $31,000 over 8 months. They're issuing credits but not paying interest on the overcharges, which is BS. The money was essentially an interest-free loan to PSO while customers struggled to pay inflated bills. I'm pushing for interest payments and will escalate to the OCC if necessary.
Rick, definitely push for interest on those overcharges. Most state utility commissions require interest payments when billing errors exceed a certain threshold or time period. In Illinois, the ICC requires interest payments for overcharges exceeding $100 or lasting more than 60 days. Oklahoma probably has similar rules. PSO is hoping customers will just accept the credits and move on, but they should be held accountable for the full financial impact of their screw-ups.
Final thought on this PSO mess: this is exactly why utility auditors are so valuable. Most customers would have just paid those inflated bills without questioning them. Rick saved his clients over $30k by digging into the details and fighting the utility bureaucracy. Smart meters are generally more accurate than mechanical meters, but the billing system integration is often where problems occur. Always verify that consumption patterns make sense compared to historical usage and actual facility operations.