A Tale Of Two States

In 2009, both Vermont and New Hampshire received federal stimulus dollars to the tune of $69 million and $15.8 million, respectively, to upgrade their electric grids. While nearly every utility in the Green Mountain State was awarded money, New Hampshire Electric Coop won, while Public Service of New Hampshire lost. Three years later, the result of this lopsided payout is noteworthy.

As a Public Service of New Hampshire customer who is so very thankful to be living in a smart meter-free neighborhood, I am especially aware of the growing number of towns in both states that already have 95% or more radio smart meters. There are still a few Vermont towns that have not yet been s'meter'd. GMP will be finishing up in January 2013, right around the time the updated report on health effects of smart meters is released by the Vermont Departments of Public Service and Health.

The PSB's request for proposals asked for:

An update of the Health Department's 2012 report entitled "Radio Frequency Radiation and Health: Smart Meters" including a literature review;

A summary of the consultant's activities monitoring the deployment of wireless smart meters in Vermont, including a representative sample of post-deployment radio frequency level testing; and

Recommendations relating to evidence-based surveillance on the potential health effects of wireless smart meters.

In the preparation of the report, the consultant shall develop a comprehensive scientific methodology for the radio frequency emissions testing of smart grid equipment and common household devices. This methodology shall include, at a minimum:

Analysis of regulations defining pertinent RF exposure limits and related RF emissions limits.

Measurement of baseline RF observations from various public environments throughout the state (e.g. "ambient RF").

Collection of both "lab" and "in-the-field" radio frequency test data from the residential smart meters and related equipment that will be deployed.

Quantification of the RF output of common household devices, such as cell phones, wireless routers, and other devices typically found in residences.

Present the report to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Service.

In a few months we'll find out which independent firm has been chosen to supplement the previous report. In the meantime, Green Mountain Power, Burlington Electric Department and Stowe Electric Department are all required by law to provide a non-transmitting analog meter to their customers without charge. Without knowing what the new report will be, it is worth taking the precautionary measure of opting out and requesting that smart meters not be installed in public places, including schools, libraries, and municipal buildings.

Prior to smart meter deployment this year, CVPS had been in the process of upgrading to solid-state non-transmitting digital meters, while GMP had been moving towards analog meters with transmitters for "drive by" readings. Many of these meters were less than 5 years old and could have been perfectly fine for a couple more decades. The analog meters (sans wireless board) could have lasted another 30-40. One of the biggest problems with the "smart grid" is that it throws away meters that work and are passive towards the power grid itself. Smart meters interrupt power quality and their pulses of RF energy are easily absorbed by wiring and other metal objects. To ensure you have a safe meter, it must have a spinning metal disc and no wiring or antenna modules visible. If you find "FCC ID" anywhere on your meter, request its removal as soon as possible.

New Hampshire's experience with smart meters has been fairly low-key so far. That's because the entire state is fired up over the Northern Pass, a transmission line that has been proposed by PSNH to bring more electricity from Hydro Quebec to Southern New Hampshire. This "reliability project" is primarily due to the overflow of the greater Boston suburbs Northward. "Stop the Northern Pass - Live Free or Fry" signs are popping up all over the Granite state, even in towns not in the planed path of the massive high voltage lines. Time will tell if the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission approves the project, but clearly this utility that missed out on federal smart grid money has decided that ensuring an economical, renewable source of power is more important than replacing existing functional meters. When subsidies are not available, companies tend to make more careful decisions with their capitol.

Meanwhile, NHEC has been deploying Elster smart meters similar to Green Mountain Power's, but there's currently no opt out provision for "co-op members" in New Hampshire. There was some legislation drafted, but it was clearly not intended to provide customers with any kind of choice or protection from the new meters. As of February, eight customers had complained. Now, as NHEC nears completion of their deployment, Granite Staters are still hemming and hawing over what exactly is the definition of a smart meter. Some still believe that if it lacks a ZigBee 2.4 Ghz "gateway" chip, then it is "dumb." Until the gateway chip is added, by customer request only, their meter is not "educated" and the customer must accept installation.

Fall in the twin states is an incredible time of year. I'd encourage anyone to visit, check out the foliage, pick up some freshly harvested produce, and enjoy the few remaining SmartMeter-free places while you can. Check here for GMP and here for PSNH.