Group fights CMP's smart meters
A group of ratepayers is challenging the Maine Public Utilities Commission's dismissal of a complaint over Central Maine Power Co.'s switchover to smart meters, arguing regulators did not fully address privacy and safety concerns of the digital meters.
The group, led by Ed Friedman of Bowdoinham, filed the appeal with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Oct. 31, claiming the PUC did not meet its requirement to "ensure safe, reasonable and adequate service," according to a press release. The PUC in January launched an investigation into whether CMP should allow customers to opt out of the smart-meter installation, and in May approved an opt-out program allowing users to keep their old meters. The PUC repeatedly said it would not address health or privacy concerns related to the meters.
The appeal argues the data gathered by smart meters could be used for customer profiling, and that the wireless technology poses health risks. It also argues the opt-out program, which requires customers to pay a fee to use the old technology, is "illegal, unethical, irresponsible or just plain wrong," Friedman said in the release.
CMP's installation of more than 600,000 smart meters is under way and expected to save customers $25 million over 20 years, the company says.
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