Texas woman brings gun to smart meter fight
Smart meters are spreading throughout the country as utility companies search for ways to cut cost and streamline operations.
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. has billed its smart grid program as a way for customers to exercise more control over their electricity costs.
But such promises from Centerpoint Energy did not sway a Houston woman.
Thelma Taormina got her gun when she was unable to prevent a Centerpoint worker from trying to install as smart meter at her home, according to Houston television station KENS5.
Taormina, 55, contends smart meters are an unnecessary violation of her privacy.
“Our constitution allows us not to have that kind of intrusion on our personal privacy,” she told the TV station. “They’ll be able to tell if you are running your computer, air conditioner, whatever it is.”
Texas regulators are considering a measure that would allow residents to have smart meters removed from their homes.
There is not an opt-out program for OG&E customers in Oklahoma or Arkansas, company officials said, because that would create holes in the network and limit the system’s benefits to customers and the company.
OG&E has installed more than 600,000 smart meters in Oklahoma, while Centerpoint has put in more than 2 million in Houston.
For now, Taormina will be allowed to keep her old meter, but her utility company is not pleased with her actions.
“We are deeply troubled by anyone who would pull a gun on another person performing their job,” a CenterPoint spokesperson told KENS5. “CenterPoint will be taking additional steps – including court actions – because what happened is dangerous, illegal and unwarranted.”
Taormina has formed a group called “We the People” to push regulators to allow Texas residents to choose whether they want smart meters.
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Comments
Mrs. Longrier sounds as if she is singing the mantra that the OG$E operators tell you when you call in! The president of OG$E, Mr. Delaney said in an interview with regulators that it was “imperative that we engage and “CHANGE BEHAVIOUR” of our customers” otherwise, according to the “20-20″ plan, they would be required to build another power plant to keep up with demand, which would cost OG$E millions, and would cause environmental concerns that “they don’t want to get involved with” Mr. Delaney said the words “Change Behaviour” of customers. They will use the smart meters to FORCE you to change by billing up to .46cents per KWH between 2 and 7. It is a “voluntary” program during rollout, but according to Mr. Delaney “It’s only a matter of time before we will be forced to go to a “demand based” billing system..The words came out of his mouth…..Beware! And it’s not a few times, it’s every 15 minutes, and what they don’t tell you is, your information is piggy backed on your neighbors meters. Mrs. Longcrier is right, the METER itself does not provide any more information, other than the fact that it is every 15 minutes…but the software they use can break out the useage. They are also installing thermostats attached to the meter to shut your air off during peak demand. So they can force you to sweat your rear off!
Crooks!
Why do people always miss the important part of this meter stuff? Sure the power company will claim that they have been giving away power (Volt/Amps) or cant afford the leg work to read those honest wheels, and now they are finally charging what we’ve been getting for free and saving money by downsizing. That’s the SMOKE ladies and gentlemen. What’s really happening is We with our own TAX dollars to fund the legislation, as well as our monthly payments to the power company, are in the midst of financing a brand new DATA BASE which, under the patriot act will be confiscated “at will” by, you guessed it, our Federal Gov. – Who owns the meters do you think? Google?, the fed?, the power company? You would think that if a company was implementing cost saving measures, then they could do it on their own. But it’s the DATA. Google and yer local power company are involved yes but Who OWNS the DATA? It’s worth a fortune. Well let’s just say it’s not Google or the power company. Because after all, when governments dictate the behavior of private companies, then these companies are owned by the government. No brainer, Without a doubt, this is our central government seizing another bright opportunity. Not the constitutionally limited government we are trying to re-establish. Ever heard a word about oversight? I bet not. It’s easy to see when you stand back and take a look.
Please tell me how you were or are able to add the second mechanical meter to check the smart meter. My bill in an UNOCCUPIED house was $200!! The air condition is off!! the lights are off, the only thing that would consume electric is one refrigerator. Certainly not a $200 bill. Also it went offline and they couldn’t get a reading. Next bill was $500! I need help! The Oklahoma Corporation Commission does nothing! Thank you in advance.
The smart meter measures energy use in the aggregate as meters have done for decades. It send the electricity data only via a wireless network a few times each day, eliminating the need for personnel to walk 5-10 miles a day to read the meters and allowing for faster connections and disconnections. The smart meter does not provide OG&E any information about what devices a customer is using. Hopefully, someone will provide Ms. Taormina with that information.