Politics & Government

Council Mulls Over Resolution to Allow Smart Meter Opt-Out

The new "smart" meters wirelessly transmit usage information to the utility company.

Troy City Council held off voting on a resolution that would give Troy residents the ability to – new meters that monitor utility customers' usage with precision online by wirelessly transmitting usage data.

The resolution, introduced by Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, is modeled after a resolution drafted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

“We’re basically standing with the people and saying if they choose to opt out, they can," Daniels said.

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The smart meters have already been installed on 98 percent of Troy homes and businesses. Because the data is transmitted via radio waves, about the radio frequency emissions — and about privacy.

“This thing is dangerous," Novi resident Don Fleming said during public comment Monday evening. "There are a plethora of reports saying they’re harmful. Only DTE ... is saying it’s harmless.”

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“We feel that the commission has largely disregarded an enormous body of evidence," Ferndale resident and Michigan Stops Smart Meters spokesperson David Sheldon added.

A recently completed Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) report also recommends that DTE Energy . 

In a 6-1 vote, council voted to postpone voting on the resolution until the July 23 Troy City Council meeting after council members disagreed about the wording of the resolution. Councilman Doug Tietz was the only "no" vote.

“I feel like this resolution – the way that it’s worded – doesn’t really focus on the issues that are in the report ... and the issues from people that came to speak to us," Mayor Pro Tem Maureen McGinnis said.

“This appears to be somewhat dated, and to me it’s not a current resolution," Councilman Dane Slater said, adding, "I don’t think this should be forced on anybody, and I think the opt-out is a good thing.”

Troy City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm said the cost of opting out of using smart meters is also something to consider, and the language in the original resolution is unclear as to whether it bans any additional cost to those who choose to opt out, or instead bans only "unwarranted and excessive costs."

"We did do some research, and from what I can tell, the costs have not yet been ascertained," Bluhm said. "And there will be costs, and those costs will be things like ... if they break down, you have to have a supply of the obsolete reader. You also have to pay for the meter reader to go to the obsolete readers’ house.”

Council is expected to vote on an amended resolution a the next Troy City Council meeting on July 23.

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