Residents who want to opt out of having an advanced digital meter, also known as a smart meter, to be installed by Southwestern Electric Power Co. in October, need to let the company know as soon as possible if instead of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter, they want an Automatic Meter Reader (AMR).
SWEPCO plans to ask for approval to charge more for the AMR but hasn’t released that figure.
One SWEPCO customer says she almost feels like SWEPCO is doing a bait-and-switch because both types of meters operate with wireless technology using radiofrequencies (RF) that some believe can have negative health consequences.
“It doesn’t really sound like we are able to opt out of a RF meter, and how do we know what they are going to install?” business owner Barbara Kellogg asked. “It seems wrong to tell us we can opt out and then not give us that option. I believe that there are important negative health impacts from RF, and want to protect my health, the health of my family and of others in our area. I sure wish we could just keep the meters we already have.”
SWEPCO spokesman Peter Main said AMR meters make their data available wirelessly for whenever meter readers are in the vicinity to collect it, so they ultimately transmit more frequently. He said AMI meters use two-way communication that captures usage data every 15 minutes and transmits data every four hours.
“They will provide more information for customers to save energy through future SWEPCO Home Energy Management Tools, and provide improvements in reliability and customer service,” Main wrote in an email. “AMR meters, for customers who opt out, use one-way communication. Meters are read once or twice a month. AMR meters are the same kind serving other SWEPCO customers in Arkansas.”
Main said while AMR meters transmit more frequently, it is at a much lower power than AMI meters.
“RFs emitted by AMI and AMR digital meters are well below those produced by other common devices like cell phones, microwaves, baby monitors and home WiFi networks,” Main said. “The RFs are also well below the limit set by the Federal Communications Commission. The American Cancer Society has found no link between smart meters and cancer.”
Main said information from the SmartGrid Consumer Collaborative’s “Radio Frequency and Smart Meters” includes an illustration comparing levels of common devices.
Main said they don’t have information on the additional costs for the opt-out meter at this time. “We expect to file our opt-out tariff with the Arkansas Public Service Commission sometime in 2021 and anticipate it will take additional time for Commission approval,” Main said. “We will not assess any fees until the tariff is approved.”
SWEPCO has an estimated 1,700 customers in Eureka Springs. There will be power outages of about three minutes when the new meters are replaced. Main said the meters will replace a metering system originally installed in 2002-3 that is outdated.
To find the opt out form or more information, do an internet search with the words “SWEPCO Eureka Springs Opt Out Smart Meters.” Customers who have questions about opting out can call (479) 973-2336.