Smart Meters in Kentucky

For information on Smart Meters and why you should care, click here. You'll find links to news updates and information sites at the bottom of that post.

"Inside the flat, a fruity voice was reading out a list of figures which had something to do with the production of pig-iron. The voice came from an oblong metal plaque like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right-hand wall. Winston turned a switch and the voice sank somewhat, though the words were still distinguishable. The instrument (the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely." -- from George Orwell's 1984

Creepy, right? Speaking of creepy, we've been talking about Smart Meters in Kentucky. I'm still digging :) and here's what I've found:

WATER As of this writing, every home in Kentucky has a wireless water meter that is read via a handheld device by a truck driver. It does not deliver "time of use" information and it is not so wireless that the information can be transmitted to an office. This needs a little more research to really nail down the details.

ELECTRIC Also as of this writing, every Kentucky home has a digital meter that is read electronically -- through the electric wires, not wirelessly. These are NOT able to give "time of use" information, just overall usage. I don't know how often they so send in information or how often they CAN send in information  -- as in once a day, an hour, a month. I've written to Mr. Melnykovych asking for this information, as well as to find out where they are in their decision on allowing us to opt-out.

My Letter to the Editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Dear Editor:

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is asking for public comment re. implementation of Smart Meters on our homes. Smart Meters emit radiation. Many people report a constant hum. They are a fire hazard. In Big Brother fashion, they monitor every moment of your electrical life.

According to utility companies, prices will be tied to time of usage, possibly lowering your overall utility bills. In reality, you are charged more during high-usage times. A woman in California wrote that her times of high usage had gotten so expensive, she does her laundry at midnight to cut down her bill.

The question before the PSC is whether or not Kentuckians will be allowed to opt out of a Smart Meter and continue with a dumb meter. Because of health and privacy concerns, in every city where Smart Meter technology has been imposed, citizens have demanded an opt-out. In cities where no opt-out has been provided (yet), citizens are in an uproar. In fact, the ACLU is working to see that citizen's rights are protected.

Citizens around the world are vehemently protesting Smart Meters. Kentucky can avoid an uproar by implementing an opt-out for those of us who do not care to be irradiated or surveilled in the privacy of our homes.

For more information on Smart Meter dangers, why you should care and how you can comment, visit bit.ly/smartmeterdangers.

What's happening with Smart Meters in your area?