Apr 15, 2012 (The Philadelphia Inquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Last month Peco Energy Co. began installing the first of 1.6 million new-generation electric meters, part of a transformation that it hopes will revolutionize the way that customers communicate with the utility.
The new meters, which Pennsylvania is requiring for all large electric utilities, allow for two-way wireless communication with customers, setting the stage for time-of-use pricing next year. They also will improve utilities' ability to detect and manage outages, as well as to turn on or shut off customers
remotely.
Peco Energy Co. in Pennsylvania is not calling "smart meters" smart meters, but by their technical name, AMI (Advanced Meter Infrastructure) meters because of the negative perception people have of the smart meter term related to nationwide resistance! Talk about sneaky, huh?remotely.
Of course a skunk by any other name is still a skunk, and people will not be fooled - the stink is too strong. But Pennsylvania has a battle ahead, despite some legislative support for opt outs from State Rep. Mike Reese (R., Westmoreland).
As for that time-of-use plan, it is
actually a utility-run game with new, tricky rates that penalize people who
won't or can't play the game. Peco customers can expect the utility will offer treats to condition them to use the system, kind of like
Frankie the Betta here:
A final warning to Peco customers (besides just keep swimming, just keep swimming): don't hold your breath for authentic treats like bloodworms. Your utility might "say" you are getting bloodworms, but you have seen how they're trying to be crafty with words.
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