Questions in Vermont

Smart meters raise privacy, health concerns in Vt. - Associated Press

Vermont's electricity utilities say they'll be working during the next year to roll out new "smart meters" — and digital networks to support them — that will help them more closely monitor their power distribution networks and help customers save money.

But new questions are being raised about privacy, security and possible health impacts from radio waves emitted, particularly by the wireless systems Vermont's two major utilities intend to use.

And the questions have prompted the state Public Service Board to entertain a request from a new activist group that it be admitted as a formal party in the final stages of the board's review of the new technology.