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With the news that NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric have reported installation of new smart meters would cost consumers up to $350 million, the question arises: Why do we need them and who benefits?
Agreeing with a 2011 Consumer’s Digest report that “experts suggest that smart-meter conversion represents little more than a boondoggle that is being foisted on consumers,” we need to get educated before it’s too late.
Two years ago, Germany’s Economy Ministry commissioned a study which concluded installation costs would be greater than the achievable energy savings for average citizens, “while the bulk of benefit could go to industrial consumers.”
In reviewing the issue, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said, “Consumers don’t need to be forced to pay billions for so-called smart technology to know how to reduce their utility bills,” while adding, “the only real question is: How dumb do they think we are?” And Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette reported that there is “No net economic benefit to ratepayers.”
A new smart-meter report by the U.K.’s Future Energy Strategies noted: “Critics, many of whom are within the energy industry and prefer to remain anonymous, contend that the benefits will be at best marginal, the technology will soon be out of date and need replacing and there is absolutely no consumer demand for their money to be spent on them.”
Don’t get lumbered with hefty rate increases to pay for meters we don’t need. Say no to smart meters.
Jon Woodhouse
Kula