Electric, Gas and Water utilities are increasingly moving toward “Smart Meter” technology. Smart meters are digital devices that incorporate a wireless component so that consumption-related data can be broadcast to the utility. Utilities promote smart meters as a way to conserve energy and reduce costs. However, the facts do not always align with these claims.

Smart meters carry certain risks to privacy, safety, and possibly health.

Currently, many Wisconsin residents have no choice but to accept these undesirable risks.

Rep. Thiesfeldt has introduced a bill that would allow utility customers to “opt-out.”

We the undersigned, find it unacceptable that many utilities, which are monopolies, have demonstrated an unwillingness to provide opt-outs to their customers. We are disturbed that they have, instead, often threatened customers with discontinuation of service, and verifiably have carried out those threats, for refusal to accept a smart meter and any risks that pose a concern.

To: Wisconsin State Representatives and Senators, Chairman Phil Montgomery of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and Governor Walker:

We, the undersigned support legislation that would allow the following:

1. An opt-out on Smart Meter installation so that no one is subject to the whims of a monopoly but may instead have the freedom to accept or reject smart meter technology based on the level of risk that is acceptable to them.

2. The option of removing previously installed smart meters and the subsequent replacement of the meters with an option acceptable to the utility customer.