Rep. Thiesfeldt Introduces “Smart Meter” Opt-out Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2013

Contact: Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt

Phone: 608-266-3156

Rep. Thiesfeldt Introduces “Smart Meter” Opt-out Bi

ll

Calls on fellow legislators to support this initiat

ive

Madison, WI –

Today,

Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) in

troduced

legislation that would allow any Wisconsin citizen

to opt-out of mandated smart meter

installation. A smart meter is a device that is lo

cated on the customer’s premises and can

in real time record and report utility consumption

information typically through wireless

means.

Public and privately-owned utilities are mandating

replacement of analog meters with

smart meters over the objections of some customers

concerned about a variety of issues,

mostly centering on health and privacy. Just yeste

rday, an elderly widow and

grandmother,

Audrey Parker,

in Baraboo had her water shut off due to her refusa

l of

installing a smart meter due to privacy and health

concerns.

“Eight states have seen the wisdom of allowing citi

zens to opt-out of smart meter

installation. This is an issue that crosses party

and ideological lines. There should not be

one person denied essential utility services based

on personal preference of not installing

one—for any reason,” Thiesfeldt stated.

Smart meters can have the ability to collect more t

han just the utility data. When

installed and used with compatible appliances, the

devices can track if a home is

occupied, if the home security system is activated,

when a consumer wakes up, and goes

to bed, water and air temperatures, computer usage,

showering, etc. The list of data is

almost endless. Rationing of utility usage is also

within the scope of capability. All of

this information could be potentially sold to compa

nies desiring such consumer data and

could end up in the hands of law enforcement as wel

l.

“This proposal is essentially a Fourth Amendment bi

ll. When successful, it will push

back future potential intrusions of the rights of c

itizens. People should maintain the right

to control the distribution of personal information

outside their home. The heart of being

a consumer is having a choice—utility customers do

not normally have the luxury of

alternate providers. With smart meter mandates, th

ey are resigned to sacrifice privacy for

essential services,” Thiesfeldt concluded.