9. Cities and States Outside of California Pull Back As a result of these consumer concerns, some communities are approving moratoriums, and others are requesting the right to opt-out. For instance, in Maine, three communities have approved moratoriums against the wireless smart meters. As for options, Central Maine Power has offered to place the smart meters further away from the home (but still on the resident’s property), and any residents who chose this option must pay for this. Consumers find this proposal unacceptable because they don’t want the wireless smart meter anywhere on their property. At the same time, one of Maine’s state legislators is reportedly going to introduce legislation allowing consumers the ability to opt out. The Portland Press Herald, “UPDATE: After CMP defends 'smart' meters, Scarborough asks PUC to halt installations,” Nov 30, 2010: http://www.pressherald.com/news/maine-Sanford-smart-meter-installation-cmp-scarborough-cape.html Some state regulators are surprising smart grid proponents by rejecting or halting smart metering systems proposed by the utilities. Michigan has decided to scale their back. Other states are waiting to see how the smart metering system develops in other states first, taking an intelligent wait-and-see-and-learn approach.GIGAOM: “Smart Grid Gets Clipped in Michigan,” August 23, 2010: http://gigaom.com/cleantech/smart-grid-gets-clipped-in-michigan/ In Pennsylvania, state utility regulators halt the smart meter plan because of the costs on consumers outweigh the supposed benefits. Read: Public Utility Law Project of New York (PULP): "Pennsylvania Regulators Halt Expensive 'Smart Meter' Plan," Oct. 29, 2009: http://pulpnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/10/pennsylvania-regulators-halt-expensive.html The states of Maryland and Hawaii put the brakes on the deployment there, due to concerns about the costly technology resulting in increased utility bills and believing that other more practical solutions may be better. Smart Grid News: "What Others Are Saying About the BG&E Ruling,” June 24, 2010: http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Business_Policy_Regulation_News/What-Others-Are-Saying-About-the-BG-E-Ruling-2565.html Smart Grid News: "Smart Meter Setback: Hawaii PUC Kicks Back Project, Tells Utility to Try It Again,” July 28, 2010: http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Business_Policy_Regulation_News/Hawaii-PUC-Kicks-Back-Smart-Meter-Project-Tells-Utility-to-Try-It-Again-2795.html Residents in Westerville, OH, rejected a $4.32 million grant to upgrade
their city's utility meters and decide to wait and see how smart grid
technologies fare in other cities before adopting them. Columbus Dispatch: "Westerville smart-meter plan halted;City turns down $4.32 million grant for utilities upgrade," Tuesday, September 7, 2010: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/07/westerville-smart-meter-plan-halted.html?sid=101 Dayton Power & Light Company in Ohio recently withdrew its plan to deploy smart meters: Dayton Daily News: "DP&L only Ohio power company to delay ‘smart meter’ upgrades," February 5, 2011, http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/dpl-only-ohio-power-company-to-delay-smart-meter-upgrades-1073958.html For a state-by-state overview of smart grid deployment, read:
Demand
Response Coordinating Committee (DRCC): “Demand Response & Smart Grid—State Legislative and Regulatory Policy
Action Review: October 2008-May 2010: An Overview,” June 2010: http://www.demandresponsecommittee.org/2009_DR&SG_Policy_Survey_FINAL_10.06.17(2).pdf Edison Foundation, "Utility-Scale Smart Meter Deployments, Plans & Proposals," September 2010, http://www.edisonfoundation.net/iee/issuebriefs/SmartMeter_Rollouts_0910.pdf =================================================================================== DISCUSSION OF MAIN CONCERNS: Read these and helpful information about the wireless smart meter issue -- click each of the discussion items below. 1. First and Foremost: Are Wireless Meters Mandatory?
2. Smart Meters Unite Consumers, Citizens and Residents from Opposite Backgrounds and Political Affiliations 3. Actions Being Taken: What Are Consumers Doing To Protect Their Civil Liberties and Affirm Their Rights to Refuse or Opt Out? 4. Going Deep: Understanding the Big Picture and Real Costs and Concerns, Helpful News Reports and Consumer Advocacy Reports and Analysis 5. Smart Meter Consumers Anger Grows Over Higher Utility Bills 6. Privacy and Security Concerns Still Unresolved 7. Health Concerns Grow: Consumers Are Getting Sick From Wireless Smart Meters 8. Consumers Report Public Safety Hazards and Interference Problems 9. Cities and States Outside of California Pull Back 10. Resident Campaigns In Other States 11. Options 12. Lessons Learned: What's Happened in Australia 13. Lessons Learned: Major Problems for Canada 14. Actions You Can Take & Other Helpful Organizations and Websites 15. City
and County Documents including Agendas, Minutes, Video Meeting links,
Staff Reports, Proposed and Approved Ordinances, Resolutions,
Correspondence, etc.
16. Wireless Smart Meter Background Information for Burbank/Glendale Or: Return to Wireless Smart Meter Concerns home page |
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