State weighs ‘smart meter’ controversy
LANSING – The Michigan Public Service Commission is weighing next steps on controversial, high-tech utility meters after the state Court of Appeals again ordered commissioners to gather more input.
In April, the court ordered the commission to reconsider its summer 2013 approval of a Consumers Energy rate hike meant to fund the rollout of wireless “smart meters,” which remotely broadcast customers’ energy usage and other information. Consumers charges people up to $124 to keep their old meters, and judges said the commission must gather more evidence on whether or not that’s duplicative because customers already pay for old meters through regular utility bills.
The commission asked the court to reconsider, but last week the court reaffirmed its April decision. Commission spokeswoman Judy Palnau said Monday commissioners have until Sept. 2 to decide next steps and still are weighing options, which could include scheduling the hearing or appealing to the state Supreme Court.
Power companies say the new technology saves money by making manual meter readings obsolete, but many residents say they cause health problems and raise privacy concerns.
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In last week’s order, Judge Peter O’Connell said he’d “find it disconcerting, if true, that a smart meter in conjunction with a smart television might allow others to listen and record private conversations in one’s living room. Though it may turn out that the appellants’ concerns are unfounded, they should at least have the opportunity to present their case to the PSC before they are charged (and possibly double-charged) for opting out.”