Comments on: It's Come to This: Citizens Against Smart Meters

By: Rise & Shine: March 22, 2010 | Sweet Solar Home

Rise & Shine: March 22, 2010 | Sweet Solar Home — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:36:48 +0000

[...] It’s Come to This: Citizens Against Smart Meters The small group is also holding rallies outside of Oncor’s headquarters and using social media to get the word out. [...]

By: Denisse Lemos

Denisse Lemos — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:30:52 +0000

@Walter Sobchak, I must respectfully disagree with your comment as far as "social control." What is the difference with utilities shooting off your power right now if they wanted to? I mean, today industries such as banking (on-line banking) and TV industry, internet to mention a few have, been revolutionized by technological advancements. And yes, while there are pros and cons to advancements, To live more efficiently because we have the means and technological advancements to do so, seems a natural course of action. I must agree with you on the “HOW” this transition is made and who benefits from it….lawyers, lobbyists, etc….

By: Denisse Lemos

Denisse Lemos — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:19:04 +0000

@Eideard, I agree with you that the perception is that technological advances should offer consumers lower bills. If you equate the installation of Smart Meters to the installation of TV Cable Boxes, the utilities should form partnerships with Smart Meter companies so that much like TV Boxes by manufacturers like MOTOROLA (the cable boxes are NOT free rather subsidized for 24 bundled up on the different packages so when we receive our cable bill, we don’t see it). Why? So that this transaction to new technologies does not seem so costly to the consumer. In addition, the same co-op concept needs to be applied for companies that have a vested interest in the SMART GRID. Utilities should create partnerships with equipment companies that have a vested interest in expediting contracts to build the SMART GRID. By creating a co-op marketing budget that the utilities can manage, there will be more funds to create on-going initiatives to educate consumers on the positive aspect of having a new grid regardless of the type of energy consumption…. There is a company, OPower doing something of this sort but in addition, Utilities and other companies that will benefit from this change should create more of an nationwide campaigns through say ie: Billboards, Teasers, door hangers, consumer events, etc showing customers the positive news that this transition will have on everyone.

By: Walter Sobchak

Walter Sobchak — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:22:52 +0000

I think people are right to be afraid of smart meters. Sure, smart meters can be used by to create a market driven world of energy abundance. But, they can also be used as instruments of social control.

The current insane clown posse in Washington is no doubt salivating at the thought that smart meters could be used to limit consumption of electricity generated by evil fossil fuels and as a remedy for the inherent limitations of solar and wind power. Sun goes down? Wind dies down? No power for the grid? Easy. Use the smart meters to turn off consumption, everywhere but the houses of Al Gore, Tom Friedman, and the other folks on Arne Duncan’s list. http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2010/03/24/its-for-the-children/

I will consider smart meters to be a positive development after the last lawyer is strangled with the entrails of the last environmentalist. Until then smart meters are like guns and sharp swords in the hands of small children.

By: WSN Buzz » The Smart Grid Industry’s Answer to the Consumer Problem

WSN Buzz » The Smart Grid Industry’s Answer to the Consumer Problem — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:10:32 +0000

[...] disgruntled backlash over the installation of smart meters in a couple communities in the U.S. (currently Bakersfield, [...]

By: The Smart Grid Industry’s Answer to the Consumer Problem

The Smart Grid Industry’s Answer to the Consumer Problem — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:25:53 +0000

[...] disgruntled backlash over the installation of smart meters in a couple communities in the U.S. (currently Bakersfield, [...]

By: Eideard

Eideard — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:53:18 +0000

It still comes down to consumers being promised lower charges because of technological advances - receiving higher bills - and presuming some kind of bait-and-switch is in progress.

The first response I received from folks involved with this process is that they feel that Oncor wants to use the process to maximize profits by getting consumers to alter their usage behavior. At best, billing might get back to previous after a lot of changes, e.g., like doing your laundry at 2 AM.

Would that surprise anyone?