The Redhunter

The smart grid transition also means billions of dollars in private-sector investment. When did job creation, informed buyers, global competitiveness, entrepreneurial startups and customer service become negatives?

The smart grid is the key to growth for U.S. technology companies, the means to achieve environmental goals at a manageable cost, and the path for consumer empowerment. It's time to cut through the hysteria and hyperbole and embrace our role as the world's leader in this wave of innovation.

PHIL BOND

Get it? They're smart, you're stupid, and if you object you need to be educated. Anyone who objects is spreading "misinformation;" they can't possibly just have another point of view.

So What is the Problem with "Smart Meters?"

From the Washington Times editorial Mr Bond is complaining about:

Smart meters also give the highly regulated utilities the ability to adjust and restrict the flow of electricity to customers. Some residents are wary that the ability to measure their energy consumption could be used to create a profile of their activities. Patterns of garage door opening, for example, could indicate when a home is empty and unprotected from burglary. In California and Texas, other consumers have seen their electric bills rise rather than fall after smart meter installation, belying the promise of savings. Energy audits have discovered some meters are defective, leaving utilities red-faced and offering refunds. The California Public Utilities Commission on March 10 ordered PG&E to come up with ways for customers to opt out of the meters and Maine's Office of the Public Advocate on Tuesday chastised Central Maine Power for "bullying and intimidating" customers who don't want the devices.

On the one hand, the administration is agitated over "cybersecurity." On the other, it is creating a network that would allow malefactors to shut down air conditioners in the midst of a scorching summer day. Those malefactors might even work for the government. Obama energy czar Carol Browner told U.S. News & World Report last year, "We need to make sure that ... eventually we can get to a system where an electric company will be able to hold back some of the power so that maybe your air conditioner won't operate at its peak."

So there it is, folks, straight from the horse's mouth. Ms Browner herself admits that the purpose of these meters is to shut down your air conditioning if they think you're using too much.

Here is the USN&WR article if you want to check her quote for context. Go ahead and look, you'll see it doesn't change anything.

Now, I'm well aware that liberals consider it a myth that they will use these meters to control the electricity to your house and that oh no it's just an innocent program that will make energy use more efficient. Knowing the left like I do I don't buy that argument for a second, as the enviro left is all about control of your life down to the most minute detail.

The Suspicious Language

Here is the relevant language from section 112(c) of the California Energy Commission's proposal mandating use of these devices:

Emergency Events. Upon receiving an emergency signal, the PCT shall respond to commands contained in the emergency signal, including changing the setpoint by any number of degrees or to a specific temperature setpoint. The PCT shall not allow customer changes to thermostat settings during emergency events.

So what counts as an emergency and who gets to decide? It all starts out so innocent, but once these meters in place the enviros will get other ideas. Especially since....

A Shortage of Power?

...in the wake of the near-disaster at Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant the enviros will stop us from building any more of them, no matter how safe the new designs. Enviros are also against coal and oil because you can never make the emissions safe enough for them. There are no real emissions from burning natural gas... except for carbon dioxide, which they have now decided is a pollutant. There are no more viable sites for hydroelectric plants, and the enviros don't like dams anyway.

This leaves wind, solar, geothermal, and the supposed "renewables." The first three are outright jokes, and the latter will only help in a limited fashion.

So unless something changes, we could be facing a shortage of electricity in the near future. And if those "smart meters" have already been installed, the temptation to use them to scale-back energy usage will be irresistible.

Bad Economics

Mr. Bond's letter also typifies the enviros misunderstanding of basic economics. He claims that "the smart grid transition also means billions of dollars in private-sector investment." But this is simply the broken window theory of economics stated in a slightly more sophisticated way. Every dollar spent changing our thermostats is a dollar not spent somewhere else. Yes, if you have to spend money to replace your thermostat you'll give someone a job. But that money you spent to replace your thermostat is money that you could have spent at the store on a new suit, and so the tailor will see a reduction in revenues.

I hear conservatives do this sometimes with regard to the military. They'll claim that some weapons program provides jobs. But again, every dollar spent building that weapon is one more dollar taxed out of your pocket that could have been spent on something else. Further, that weapon doesn't produce anything itself, whereas at least a bridge provides a transportation solution.

If you think we need "smart meters," fine. But do yourself a favor and base your argument on environmental grounds, not fake economic ones.

I know, I know

Because I'm against so-called smart meters I am against all regulation, I don't care about pollution, yada yada yada. I've gotten that sort of comment after these posts and they're tiresome.

I like the new energy-saver light bulbs and will replace the existing ones in my house when they burn out. But don't pass a law telling me I have to use them because I'll object and seek to have you thrown out of office.

Likewise, if you want a so-called smart meter at your house fine, put one in. But don't tell me I have to have one because I will fight you on it.

And if I want to drive a big, energy inefficient car (which I don't) that's my right and I object to your CAFE regulations.

This is not like smokestack emissions where regulations are needed. These are legitimately in the arena of public choice and the enviros should keep their hands off.