Smart Meters - Public Service Commission

Good News in Oregon & Florida
JULY 12, 2012 BY
http://www.trueemfsolutions.com/good‐news‐in‐oregon/
PORTLAND — The Maine Public Utilities Commission failed to resolve
health and safety issues related to Central Maine Power Co.’s installation of
smart meters and should now do so, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court has
ruled.
A worker wearing a safety mask installs “smart meters” for Central Maine Power in
Portland.
2010 Press Herald file
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In a decision released today, the court sided with smart-meter opponents, who argued
that utility regulators ignored their legal mandate to ensure the delivery of safe and
reasonable utility services.
At the same time, though, the court didn’t agree with the view of opponents that the
meters violated constitutional issues related to privacy and trespass.
Following a PUC order in 2010, CMP began switching out its 600,000 analog meters
with new-technology digital meters. The $200 million project, which received half its
funds from federal stimulus dollars, is now largely complete.
Because the meters already are installed, it’s not clear what the practical effect of the
court’s decision may be.
Ed Friedman, the lead plaintiff in the court suit against the PUC, said at mid-day that he
hadn’t had time to study the decision. He was pleased that the health and safety
issues were upheld, but disappointed to see the constitutional concerns
dismissed.
Friedman called on the PUC to conduct full hearings in which experts could be called to
testify on the health and safety matters.
“I don’t think there’s any way they (the PUC) can assure safety,” he said.
Many utilities around the world are moving to smart meters, which can give customers