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.