Suzanne Yarbrough of Livonia plans to attend a state House hearing on “smart meters” at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Lansing, and she hopes other Livonia residents will join her.
“Anyone who wants to testify regarding the health, safety, privacy (and) cyber hacking (of smart meters), or their electric bill going up for a meter that is no benefit to customers can testify,” said Yarbrough, who has spoken out against smart meters at Livonia City Council meetings.
The hearing, held by the Michigan House Oversight Committee, will take place in Room 519 of the Anderson House office building, 124 N. Capitol.
“Smart meters” are a high-tech alternative to conventional utility meters that are attached to homes to remotely report through radio frequency waves when and how much electricity is used by homeowners.
State Rep. Tom McMillin, committee chair, called the hearing after being contacted by many constituents and other citizens about privacy, health and safety concerns relating to the meters.
“With this hearing, we’re giving the people of Michigan an open and transparent platform to not only voice their concerns but hopefully have them addressed by public utility officials” said McMillin, R-Rochester Hills. “Residents have contacted my office, terrified that their power will be shut off after receiving letters from utility companies threatening to do just that if they don’t allow a smart meter to be installed on their home, even though they have a perfectly working analog meter.”
Residents can testify during the committee or submit written testimony. Representatives from the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have been invited to testify and respond to citizens’ concerns.
For more information, residents can contact McMillin by emailing TomMcMillin@house.mi.gov or by calling 517-373-1773
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