Smart meters can help
customers keep track of their energy use, and these meters
can also potentially help them save money on their
electricity bills by taking part in time-of-use programs.
Another benefit of these devices is that they eliminate
carbon emissions resulting from utility employees traveling
to location for taking readings because the devices
communicate via a wireless network.
But, despite these benefits,
advanced meter deployment has not been smooth sailing for
all utilities in the US. Questions about the health effects
of the
radiation emitted by the meters, security issues, and
the effectiveness of the meters have caused a customer
backlash against the devices. Some customers also say that
the new meters have increased their bill.
Maine residents, for
instance, expressed their concerns about health effect of
the meters and requested their councils to postpone Central
Maine Power's installation of the meters until health
concerns are cleared. CMP responded to the customer backlash
by allowing residents to opt out of the meters until the
Public Utilities Commission reviews southern Maine
residents' objections.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
has been in the middle of the smart meter controversy. Its
SmartMeter program has received much criticism. Customers
have expressed suspicion over billing, saying that their
bills have risen after the meters were installed. However,
the Public Utilities Commission searched and did not find
any widespread flaws in the devices.
In a very recent incident,
two women were arrested in West Marin after they tried to
stop trucks carrying PG&E's smart meters for installation in
Inverness. A group of 20 people blocked the way of the
trucks. One of the arrested women was Katharina Sandizell,
West Marin Citizens Against Wireless Smart Meters'
co-director. According to her, the meters emit radiation in
pulses that are much higher than mobile phone radiation, and
the Federal Commission has called the "time-averaged"
radiation level as safe.
Security
of the customer's personal information is also an issue.
Information collected by smart meters can also be used to
make personal energy consumption profiles of users. A hack
of the utility's information storage system can result in
this information going in the wrong hands.
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