International News details consumer health and privacy pushback
Recent news articles warn both the utility industry and investors over the consumer pushback against Smart Meters.
Posted Today in the “National”, an English-language news journal from the middle east-located in Abu Dhabi is a report titled, “ Health risks could switch off home energy meters”
Excerpts from the article include: “Investors in this new sector should be aware that, despite its green-energy saving credentials, the smart-metering industry could become the focus of international concern regarding the levels of radiation generated by the new digital devices.”
The report suggests that the announced sale of Landis & Gyr, who make PG&E Smart Meters, coincided with the US Smart Meter protests where women opposing the meters over radiation concerns were arrested.
The article warns, “Should the US health and privacy fears continue to spread internationally, there could be global consequences.”
Another Smart Grid article warns the industry, “A new study by Ovum warns that most ongoing efforts by utilities to gain early customer acceptance of smart meters have been inadequate. The report concludes that unless utilities do better jobs educating consumers about the long-term benefits of smart meters, it’s likely they will fall back on old power consumption habits and entire grid projects could ultimately fail.”