AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
March 14, 2013
Issue
Bills to Protect Consumer Privacy re Smart Meters Introduced
Details
The war on words in the environmental debate over “global warming,” now called “climate change” had moved beyond mere words to government actions such as banning all incandescent light bulbs by 2014 and mandating the use of compact florescent lighting in U.S. homes; demanding an average standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 for cars and light-duty trucks; and capturing methane from dairy cows to reduce greenhouse gas.
Beyond the facts that over 31,000 scientists, including more than 9,000 Ph.D.s in fields such as atmospheric science, climatology, Earth science, environment and NASA satellite data have rejected “climate change,” smart meters have problems of their own. Problems include inaccurate readings and privacy concerns.
Yet in Pennsylvania, Act 129 of 2008 requires electric distribution companies to develop energy efficiency and conservation plans. The Act also requires electric distribution companies to deploy smart meter technology throughout their service territories according to a 15-year depreciation schedule. Smart meter technology transmits usage data to an electric distribution company and to the consumer on an hourly basis. Even though you may not currently have a mandated smart meter, check your electric bill for a “Smart Meter Charge.”
Action Steps
Representative Mike Reese has introduced three bills in the State House to give Pennsylvanians several options:
HB 899 repeal the mandate to install smart meter technology on the buildings of electric customers.
HB 902 Consumer “Opt-Out” of Smart Meter Usage
HB 906 Consumer Consent to Share Smart Meter Information
Go to our Action Center to contact your State Representative and ask him or her to support these three bills.
