I can only imagine that remote readability is also far greener, as it must eliminate miles and miles of tech driving to check on meters? What’s good for the climate is good for all of us. Kind regards, Rainer
Rainer Frost From: Lincoln <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Anne Warner Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 9:31 AM To: ROY HARVEY <[email protected]> Cc: Forest Brown <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Smart Meters Roll Out To add to this, EMF has long been debunked as a source of harmful radiation. The word “radiation” is thrown around a lot as meaning, by definitio, something that is harmful to the human being. The reality is that there are many types of radiation, and only a subset of those are harmful. I will leave it to the scientists among us to take this further, but I once litigated a case involving overhead power lines and an accusation by a community that if installed, the lines would cause cancer due to EMFs. Our experts dispelled the claim. Anne Warner - Sent from iPhone. Typed by thumb. Excuse misspellings! On Nov 18, 2024, at 9:56 PM, ROY HARVEY via Lincoln <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Dear Forest, Lincoln’s electricity is provided by Eversource, not National Grid. All investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts were required to file Electric Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) with the Department of Public Utilities earlier this year. Eversource’s ESMP gives details on their plan to roll out Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which includes modern "smart meters". The ESMP includes the schedule for the rollout, which ends in 2027-8. Eversource is starting in the western part of the state and moving east, so Lincoln will be among the later communities to receive AMI. The full text of Eversource’s ESMP is here<https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/about/sustainability/renewable-generation/electric-sector-modernization-plan>. According to Eversource’s ESMP, consumer benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will include: * Lower bills, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times * Lower CO2 emissions, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times, when inefficient oil- and gas-fired peaker plants would otherwise provide power. * Faster notification of power outages (and earlier restoration from outages). The excerpt below from the ESMP outlines some of these benefits. Best regards, Roy Harvey (not affiliated with Eversource) 6.3.1.9 AMI and Data Sharing The Company is implementing a comprehensive near real-time AMI system that includes state of the art meters, communications infrastructure, head-end system, meter data management system (MDMS), customer information system, analytics capabilities, customer portal and data sharing abilities, integrations with other key systems including the outage management system (OMS), and all with comprehensive, end-to-end, cybersecurity protocols. Whereas early AMI deployments focused primarily on basic functions such as remote meter reading and interval usage data collection, utilities are increasingly taking advantage of systems integration, data analytics, and grid-edge computation to provide incremental benefits without adding significantly to the overall project cost. A modern AMI deployment reflects the imperative to consider AMI as more than meters and communications infrastructure but rather as a complete system, inclusive of systems and integrations that together will optimize the full utilization of this technology. A comprehensive approach to AMI deployment for Eversource customers will maximize benefits and minimize costs to customers. The Company’s AMI deployment between 2022 and 2028 will deliver on the potential of AMI to provide value-added outcomes for customers. The current implementation timeline provides for customers to begin receiving a new meter in the first half of 2025, starting in the Company’s western service territory, and moving east, with all customers installed by the end of 2027. In advance of the first meter deployment the Company plans for outreach initiatives to all customers. The plan for customer engagement includes: initial awareness for all customers well before any meters are installed; pre-deployment communications at 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to install; on-going engagement related to new information and products/services available; and specific time-varying rate communications when they become available. Customer communications will be tailored to the type of customer and the information that is most relevant to them. Many of the benefits enabled by AMI accrue directly to customers. Access to usage information, insights, alerts, and availability of optional time-varying rates, for instance, will provide customers with new opportunities to manage energy consumption and lower bills. Many of the benefits unlocked by AMI will accrue indirectly to customers. Expenses such as theft and other losses are socialized to all customers can be reduced through initiatives made possible with an AMI deployment. Some benefits, such as reduced truck rolls, are focused on improving the Company’s operational efficiency when providing service to customers. For customers, AMI will enable increased access to more granular usage information, improving the customer’s understanding of energy savings opportunities. This information has the potential to be powerful for the customer when combined with new rate designs and participation in energy efficiency and demand-response programs. AMI may also improve the efficacy of optional customer information tools such as load disaggregation applications. Customers will benefit from more timely updates from the Company, such as mid-cycle high bill alerts and customer-directed bill alerts, which are service offerings that are proven to be of value to customers. In addition, call center representatives would have access to more granular data putting them in a better position to help customers understand how changes in their usage impact changes in bill amounts and recommend participation in energy efficiency programs. Another customer benefit of AMI technology is improved frequency and precision of communications during outages and storm restoration, as well as reduced time for meter transactions, including service turn-on’s, which can be conducted quickly and efficiently. AMI implementation will advance the ongoing energy affordability dialogue in the Commonwealth, particularly in underserved communities. Full deployment of AMI to all Massachusetts customers will provide several opportunities to leverage access to information that will help customers to better manage their energy usage. The Company and the other EDCs convened an AMI working group to discuss the sharing of information and other new opportunities that AMI will offer for customers.178 Unlocking customers’ ability to lower bills with AMI data will have multiple components: * Detailed Usage Insights: Access to detailed billing data is expected to provide value to multiple different customer segments. Residential customers will benefit from targeted information on how different rates or programs will impact bills based on their specific usage patterns. All customer segments have the potential to benefit from visibility of near real time usage data. In the same way people can glance at a gas gauge on their vehicle or the battery life of their smartphone, visibility to this data will enable customers to rapidly modify behavior and better manage their usage. Access to more timely and detailed usage information is expected to support improved insight and reduce customer surprises with high bills. With access to this information, customer service representatives will also be able to provide more targeted recommendations to callers for participation in time-varying rates or energy efficiency or demand response programs. * Detailed Usage Sharing with Third Parties: Via the Eversource website, customers will be able to access their data and applications that allow them to share their usage data easily and securely with third parties. AMI data will be made available via those existing methods and additional data sharing mechanisms that may be made available in future years (e.g., Green Button Connect). For example, customers may authorize their Competitive Electric Power Supplier (CEPS) or other service provider to access their monthly, daily, and 15-minute interval data. Approved CEPSs can download current customer usage, demand data, and interval data along with 12 months of historical information. * Customized High Bill Alerts: Eversource will also allow customers the option to receive relevant energy insights and notifications based on detailed data out to customers via outbound channels, namely email, text, and mobile application notifications. Customers will be able to set thresholds to receive alerts when the amount of their bill for a defined period exceeds a certain amount. * Time-Varying Rates: Once all AMI meters have been deployed and the Customer Information System has developed the Time-Varying-Rates design (determined through a separate process conducted by DPU with stakeholder input), Eversource will be building awareness and educating customers on Time-Varying Rates. Eversource will accomplish this by using existing communications tools such as customer emails, on-bill messaging and inserts, free social media, online videos, press releases and earned media, direct mail, print collateral, town halls, and paid social media campaigns. In addition to the use of AMI data sharing to enable customers to lower bills and take advantage of opportunities to deploy clean energy solutions, the Company will use the more granular and accurate data generated by AMI to improve outage communications in storm events. With complete situational awareness of customer outages in storm events enabled by AMI data, the Company will provide more timely and targeted restoration time estimates. On 11/18/2024 5:39 PM EST Forest Brown <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Dear Neighbors, I wanted to bring to your attention some important information about upcoming changes to our utility meters, specifically the transition to smart meters, which National Grid is beginning to roll out in our area. Many of us will soon be contacted by National Grid as they move forward with this transition, and I wanted to make sure you're informed about your options. What’s happening? National Grid is in the process of replacing traditional meters with smart meters in homes throughout our area. Smart meters are designed to automatically transmit your energy usage data to the company, which, in theory, eliminates the need for meter readers to visit homes. Why opt out? While National Grid has promoted smart meters as a convenient upgrade, there are several important considerations to be aware of: 1. Health and Safety Concerns: Smart meters emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to transmit data, which some studies suggest could have health impacts, particularly for vulnerable individuals. There are also ongoing concerns about the cumulative exposure to EMFs in our homes from multiple devices. 2. Privacy Issues: Smart meters collect detailed data on your energy usage patterns, which raises concerns about privacy. This data could potentially be shared with third parties or used to track behavior in ways we may not be comfortable with. 3. Impact on Your Neighbors: Even if you're not personally concerned about the health risks of smart meters, it's important to consider the potential impact on your neighbors. Smart meters transmit radiation up to 500 feet from the meter itself, meaning the signals can affect nearby homes. For those who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, this could be a significant concern, especially in densely populated neighborhoods. 4. Cost and Customer Benefits: When I spoke with a National Grid technician recently, I asked what benefits customers would miss out on by opting out of the smart meter program. He confirmed that there is no direct benefit to the customer — it only benefits National Grid, as they no longer need to send technicians out to read meters. 5. The Safe Option: The technician also agreed that opting out is the safest choice to minimize potential risks from the technology. If you are not comfortable with having a smart meter installed, it’s your right to opt out. How to Opt Out National Grid should be contacting us about the install. If you wish to decline the installation of a smart meter in your home, you can communicate to your National Grid account manager that you would like formally request to opt-out. They will be able to assist you in preserving your traditional meter. Bottom Line: While National Grid is pushing forward with smart meters, it is important to remember that you do not have to accept one if you feel uncomfortable. The choice is yours. I encourage you to consider the information, weigh the potential health, privacy, and safety concerns, and make the decision that is best for you, your family, and your community. Stay safe and informed, Forest -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
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