The Michigan Public Utilities Commission (MPSC) has, until quite recently, maintained an attitude that “the meters are the property of the utility and they can do as they wish about meter replacements.” Statements to this effect have been made (with a straight face) on multiple occasions by MPSC spokespeople in response to citizens. The Commission has argued that they have jurisdiction only to regulate rates charged to customers.
Does anyone seriously think this is a correct or responsible position (or even an honest position) for the Commission to take? The MPSC was created by the legislature precisely in order to protect the public from the arbitrary power that a monopoly would otherwise have over their customers - not only over rates but all aspects of service. The statute under which MPSC operates reads as follows:
“460.6 Public service commission; power and jurisdiction;
Sec. 6. (1) The public service commission is vested with complete power and jurisdiction to regulate all public utilities in the state except a municipally owned utility, the owner of a renewable resource power production facility as provided in section 6d, and except as otherwise restricted by law. The public service commission is vested with the power and jurisdiction to regulate all rates, fares, fees, charges, services, rules, conditions of service, and all other matters pertaining to the formation, operation, or direction of public utilities.”
Up until January 12th the Commission has taken a hands off approach and allowed the utilities to go forward with massive smart meter deployments. But the Commission also issued orders guaranteeing the utilities would be able to recoup the costs of these meters by passing the costs along to its customers.
This decision was originally supposed to happen only after an economic analysis of the costs v. benefits achieved in the pilot program in Grosse Isle and Harsen’s Island. Yet the decision to proceed with mass deployment in Detroit and Oakland County was made without that cost-benefit study and over the objections of then Attorney General Mike Cox.
All of this was allowed to go forward without the MPSC having conducted any investigation into the possible consequences to homeowner privacy, health or safety. And now DTE reports that it has installed 650,000 meters already and will ultimately install about 2 million.
But on January 12th the Commission announced that it would open an investigation into whether these devices have bad consequences for the health, safety or privacy of utility customers, and whether or not opt-outs should be allowed. At the same time the Commission hints that it may lack the jurisdiction and/or the expertise to actually order a remedy. Also the Commission’s Order makes no provision for stopping the ongoing deployment pending the results of the investigation.
The Commission was, in fact, pushed into opening this investigation because of the overwhelming pressure from city governments which have, in city after city, either passed resolutions against the meters or outright bans.
We think continued public pressure, public meetings, more news coverage and many more actions by city governments will be needed in order to:
- Get the Commission to admit that it does have jurisdiction to stop further deployments and that it can obtain any needed expertise by giving experts the opportunity to testify.
- Get the Commission to order a moratorium on meter installs pending the outcome of its investigation
- Assure that the final conclusions and any resulting Order will be based on the facts and not on political pressures.
If you share our outrage that things have come this far please:
- Speak during the public comments period in your city’s Council meeting. Urge your Council to pass a resolution.
- Submit your comments to the MPSC referencing Case U-17000.
- Write letters to the editor of any newspapers that serve your area.
- Write your state representatives in Lansing.
- Talk up the issue in any community organization or church to which you may belong.
- Let us know of any significant developments so that we can report them on this website. Send an email to : fdshel@yahoo.com.
A Smart Meter was installed on my residence about 3 months ago. To my knowlege it was not activated immediatly. I was told that utility personel would read the meter for a couple of months before turning it on. I don’t know exactly when it was turned on, however, we have been having some unusual health issues, lack of ability to sleep, and problems with pets (dogs) that have become extreemly agitated, quivering, panting, and extreem restlessness until they can get outside away from whatever is happening with them inside the home. They have been checked out by the Vet and have no health issues otherwise. Some animals have the ability to sense the something is wrong even when we can’t. I have notified Consumers Energy that they have two weeks to remove the Smart meter and replace it with the old Analog style meter or I will remove it myself. They have no right under the law to impose any harmful device or produce any RF emmision into or throughout my home. I own the meter box housing and all wireing from the supply source into and throughout my home. If they will not remove it voluntarily I will remove it and supply my own Analog meter.
It is our understanding that Consumers will replace a smart meter with an analog meter if you so request. We don’t know how quickly they would do this however. Your intent to do it yourself is entirely appropriate if they take more than 2 weeks to do it. They have violated your rights by installing a health damaging surveillance device on your property without your consent. Please update us when the matter is resolved.