garys_2kPremium
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI Reviews:
 ·callwithus
·Callcentric
| reply to Jack_in_VA
Re: replace a smart meter with a non smart meter. said by Jack_in_VA:said by garys_2k:I know, but I think for most of us (the vast majority, in fact) previously had the dial type meters that had to be directly eyeballed to be read. Meter reader ON the property, up close and personal. What a $hitstorm that would cause if it suddenly became required from formerly not.
How many years did we have electric, gas and water meter readers come on to the property sometimes in the home to read the meters with absolutely no problems? Even today in many parts of the country this is still the norm. Remotely read meters from the road are fairly recent. Why do you think it would be a problem now? Oh, I know, but my point is that if we were used to remotely read meters, where nobody ever has to come onto our property, then imagine if the upgrade had been to personally read meters.
The hullabaloo would be all about the utility "spies" coming onto our property. No more privacy! People would be screaming to keep their remotely read meters, websites would be devoted to fighting those "invasive" meter readers -- some would likely suggest greeting these people with threats.
My point is that, if the shoe was on the other foot and we had to evolve from remote to personally read meters then some people would be having a fit. Likely the same people who now cringe at the thought of nobody routinely coming onto their property. |
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iknowPremium
join:2012-03-25 | reply to Jack_in_VA
said by Jack_in_VA:said by garys_2k:I know, but I think for most of us (the vast majority, in fact) previously had the dial type meters that had to be directly eyeballed to be read. Meter reader ON the property, up close and personal. What a $hitstorm that would cause if it suddenly became required from formerly not.
How many years did we have electric, gas and water meter readers come on to the property sometimes in the home to read the meters with absolutely no problems? Even today in many parts of the country this is still the norm. Remotely read meters from the road are fairly recent. Why do you think it would be a problem now? I can answer that one, times have changed, and not only do you have people impersonating meter readers to commit crimes in the home, there are some valid meter readers employed by the utilities committing crimes under the guise of their job. it's not like it used to be many years ago. it's safer not having the reader on your property these days, for some people. those with large protective dogs excluded. |
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 Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | reply to robbin
Re: replace a smart meter with a non smart meter. You do realize Robbin that reading the posts is entirely your choice don't you? If you don't like what's being posted then you can also choose not to read them. The choice is entirely up to you. |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | I can also choose to respond as this is a public forum for that exact purpose. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | Yes and we can choose to reply to your posts as I have. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | reply to iknow
said by iknow:I can answer that one, times have changed, and not only do you have people impersonating meter readers to commit crimes in the home, there are some valid meter readers employed by the utilities committing crimes under the guise of their job. it's not like it used to be many years ago. it's safer not having the reader on your property these days, for some people. those with large protective dogs excluded.
In most cases as mine the meter is read remotely by a truck riding by but I am not in the least afraid to let a meter reader access the meter on my property. I don't have a large protective (vicious) dog either.
I guess I'm just too trusting and have too much faith in my fellow man. It's served me well for almost 69 years now so I don't see any need to change.
Perhaps it's the part of the country I live in that doesn't instill a sense of extreme danger since it's very rural and most everybody knows everyone else. |
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garys_2kPremium
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI Reviews:
·callwithus
·Callcentric
| And yet for some, that "faith in [their] fellow man" all falls apart when meters can be read from a central location. Then it becomes a tool for big gubmint and money grubbing capitalists.
As for the meter I have, I'm anxious for our utility to roll out the self monitoring via the Internet. Then I can assess for myself the advisability of TOU billing (that's been around for a LONG time, way before the digital meters). If the rate looks better for me I'll jump on it. |
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iknowPremium
join:2012-03-25 | reply to robbin
said by robbin:The time they let my dog out, I spent most of two full days searching before someone caught him and called the animal shelter. I'm not the paranoid one. I didn't start this thread. I just don't have the time to pretend I'm living in the 50's (or 70's or 90's). When technology can make improvements or lessen costs, I'm for them. I really don't understand this thread. Is this a security concern or a discussion on government and it's role in governing the behavior of the local Electric company /Co-op? Or perhaps, just the kind of discussion people would have sitting around in the pub.
originally it was about the legality of replacing your smart meter by yourself, then, related details were brought up, which may seem to be confusing, but are related in general to the smart meter issue, as security, government, politics, and general thoughts on the subject are relevant, but not questioned in the OPs topic. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1
1 edit | reply to garys_2k
said by garys_2k:And yet for some, that "faith in [their] fellow man" all falls apart when meters can be read from a central location. Then it becomes a tool for big gubmint and money grubbing capitalists.
As for the meter I have, I'm anxious for our utility to roll out the self monitoring via the Internet. Then I can assess for myself the advisability of TOU billing (that's been around for a LONG time, way before the digital meters). If the rate looks better for me I'll jump on it.
I have no problem with my meter being read remotely gathering my "Monthly" usage for billing purposes. No conspiracy there. The ability to monitor if power is off is an added but not critical benefit as most POCO's still request a phone call for outages.
Using Google and Bing there apparently are several areas notably in California that are backing off installing Smart Meters and in some cases removing them. The issue is far from settled in spite of what the POCO's want. |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | So if cost is not an issue, you would not be opposed to TOU billing if it was determined to be the fairest way to bill for all users? |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1
3 edits | What does that have to do with the OP original post that Grobinette reminded us of?
Your question is more political and will be determined by our respective legislatures and oversight agencies. Not here on a forum. |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | Experts would be the ones to determine what's fair. I'm pretty sure there is already a start as in at least most areas the utilities have to get permission from the PUC or similar to change rates. As much as I think there is a major role for government, in my wildest imagination, I cannot imagine it is to force utility companies to overbuild their plants to the point that anyone can draw as much power as they want at subsidized rates by forcing everyone to pay more so the very few can be wasteful.
Still, you did not answer my question -- If TOU billing was the fairest billing method would you be in favor of it? You have already stated that you have no issues paying your bill so money should not be as much of a concern for you as it may be for others who would have to help pay for all of these power plants which would need to be built to provide all you can use at any time as you seem to be recommending.
[edit] You seem to have edited multiple posts. I respect this forum too much to make major changes after posting, so if some of this no longer makes sense, it is because of your edits. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | If you want to go in this direction I suggest you start a new thread as your questions are clearly off topic and political.
I edited my last post to remove the off topic material. I suggest you do the same.
Jack |
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 TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2
 ·TekSavvy DSL
 ·Cogeco Cable
| reply to Jack_in_VA
said by Jack_in_VA:What does that have to do with the OP original post that Grobinette reminded us of?
Your question is more political and will be determined by our respective legislatures and oversight agencies. Not here on a forum.
The original post and your response are full of half truths and blatant mistruths.
This is what has generated all the angst and the zillion responses.
If something ridiculous is posted it will generate a response.
Many forums would refer to the original post as a troll.
--
The talented hawk speaks French. |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | reply to Jack_in_VA
I guess I don't understand this thread then. If security is not an issue as you seem to have agreed with in a previous post, then the big argument I see against smart meters is that they allow TOU billing. What is off topic about that?
I also do not believe that I have raised any political points, but I did try to raise at least one economic one. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | reply to TA63
Really? I didn't post the video on removing the smart meters so why are you flaming me? The mods evidently didn't think it was a troll so why would you? I did however post a "Opt out" and refusal letter for Virginia.
From the OP's original posted video on it's been a free for all by about every poster and degenerated even more by a Johnny come lately troll trying to start a flame war. |
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TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2 | I spoke to the content of the original post and your reply.
Content only.
You made this personal.
--
The talented hawk speaks French. |
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Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | said by TA63:I spoke to the content of the original post and your reply.
Content only.
You made this personal.
I didn't make it personal. You did.
actually it's close to a flame attack:
The original post and your response are full of half truths and blatant mistruths. |
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TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2 | reply to jchambers28
I'll repeat myself.
I spoke to content only.
You accused me of flaming you.
You made it personal.
--
The talented hawk speaks French. |
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