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Cities and States Outside of California Pull Back


9.  Cities and States Outside of California Pull Back

This is turning into a classic example of technology being rolled out faster than our laws can keep up with them, and before their environmental and health repercussions are fully understood or experienced.

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


For a list of organizations and contacts for Smart Meter opposition groups in various states, also listed below in our Main Concerns chapters, go here:



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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






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