During a Chamber of Commerce panel event about energy innovation, Robert Powelson, chairman for Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, told those in attendance that opting out of smart meters was not up for debate in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Powelson was the featured speaker during Friday’s event at the University City Science Center, “Smart Technologies Re-Energizing the Regional Economy.”
Addressing loss of privacy concerns, Mr. Powelson said there is no issue of any government body having access to personal data from smart meters.
“It’s not the government. It’s your [energy] usage data and it’s your decision what to do with the data,” Mr. Powelson said. “We’re moving forward with meters here. Whether you like it or not, you’re getting a meter.”
Mr. Powelson also told those in attendance that Pennsylvania is becoming an east coast epicenter for energy development and one of the most robust competitive retail markets with more renewable energy offerings.
Assuming the quotes above are true, Powelson sounds very dictatorial.
ReplyDeleteWhich is deeply worrying - does he serve the public, or not?
Perhaps his interests lie elsewhere.
Chris
Langhorne, PA
There's a definite bias towards bringing money into the area, as can be seen at the listing for the event that he was to have made these statements at... http://www.greaterphilachamber.com/event/3424/smart-technologies-re-energizing-the-regional-economy-
DeleteThe PUC's website says this...
Mission Statement: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
'Protecting the public interest' seems to be the only statement that might actually involve us. So, I wonder as well, are they really there to protect us? They certainly should be, but they probably don't see it the same way as the customer does.