Union opposes smart grid project
One smart grid project is hitting opposition in Maine, while another is advancing despite a funding disappointment.
Central Maine Power Co.'s proposal to install "smart meters," which transmit consumption information directly to the utility, has raised the concern of union officials, who say the new technology could mean a loss of 141 jobs, according to the Kennebec Journal. CMP won a $96 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to help fund the $190 million project and had planned to start installing smart meters early this year, with a completion date of mid-2012. But officials at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1837 are opposing the project and plan to speak out about it at a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Maine Public Utilities Commission recently approved Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.'s $8 million smart grid infrastructure upgrades, and the company plans to move forward with the project even though it did not receive $4.3 million in federal stimulus money it applied for, according to the Bangor Daily News. Bangor Hydro plans to build on its existing advanced metering infrastructure, already used by 97% of its customers, and replace the rest of customers' meters with smart meters by the end of 2011. The cost will be covered by raising customers' monthly rates by about 50 cents.
Go to the article from the Kennebec Journal >>
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
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