Smart meters and public acceptance: Comparative analysis and governance implications

Health, Risk and Society

Volumn 16, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 243-258

  Hess, David J ^a  

^a VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

health; public understanding; risk; smart meters; social movement

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; CANADA; DEVICE SAFETY; ELECTRIC METER; ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD; ELECTRONICS; FIBER OPTICS; FIRE PROTECTION; HEALTH HAZARD; HUMAN; NORTH AMERICA; POPULATION RISK; PRIVACY; PUBLIC OPINION; SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE; SOCIAL SECURITY;

EID: 84901243706     PISSN: 13698575     EISSN: 14698331     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/13698575.2014.911821     Document Type: Article

References (71)

1. Balmert, D., Grote, D., and Petrov, K., 2012. Final report: development of best practice recommendations for smart meters rollout in the energy community [online]. Prepared for the Energy Community Secretariat by KEMA International. Available from: http://www.energy-community.org/pls/portal/docs/1460178.PDF [Accessed 1 December 2013].
2. Best, J., 2013. More meter madness: Tea Party Texans accuse meters of spying. Smart Grid News, 13 Sep. Available from: http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Technologies_Metering/More-meter-madness-Tea-Party-Texans-accuse-smart-meters-of-spying-6023.html/#.UjscGz8piyE. [Accessed 1 December 2013].
3. BioInitiative Working Group, Sage, C. and Carpenter, D. eds. 2012. BioInitiative report: a rationale for biologically-based public exposure standard for electromagnetic fields radiation [online]. Available from: http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wpcontent/uploads/pdfs/BioInitiativeReport2012.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
4. Biolchini, A. 2013. Attorney general says DTE Energy smart meter opt-out fees not justified [online]. 25 Feb. Available from: http://www.annarbor.com/news/attorney-general-says-dte-energys-smart-meter-opt-out-fees-not-justified/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
5. British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, 2012. Statement of member resolutions as of December 2012 - BCCPAC [online]. Available from: http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/sites/default/files/record_of_resolutions_dec2012rev_0.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
6. British Columbia Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, 2011. Investigation report F11-03 [online]. Available from: http://www.oipc.bc.ca/investigation-reports/1244 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
7. Burgess, A., 2002. Comparing national responses to perceived health risks from mobile phone masts. Health, risk & society, 4 (2), 175-188. doi:10.1080/13698570220137051
8. Burgess, A., 2003. Review of the precautionary principle in the twentieth century. Health, risk & society, 5 (1), 105-107.
9. CBC News, 2013. Hydro BC backs down on smart meter installation [online]. 30 Jan. Available from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/01/30/bc-smart-meter.html [Accessed 1 December 2013].
10. Center for Electrosmog Prevention, 2013. Where smart meters are optional/free or fee [online]. Available from: http://www.electrosmogprevention.org/stop-ca-smart-meter-news/where-smart-meters-are-optional/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
11. Citizens for Safe Technology, 2012. Moratorium/opt-out request tally of municipal councils re smart meters in B.C. [online]. 23 Oct. Available from: http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/Moratorium-Requests-from-Municipal-Councils-re-Smart-Meters-in-BC,85,1354 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
12. City of Ashland, 2012. Resolution No. 2012-14 [online]. Available from: http://www.ashland.or.us/SIB/files/2012-14%20AMR%20Opt%20Out%20Policy.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
13. Claassen, L., et al., 2012. Media coverage on electromagnetic fields and health: content analysis of Dutch newspaper articles and websites. Health, risk & society, 14 (7-8), 681-696. doi:10.1080/13698575.2012.716820
14. Coalition to Stop Smart Meters. 2013. Concerns [online]. Available from: http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.ca/html/?page_id=173. [Accessed 1 December 2013].
15. Cousin, M. and Siegrist, M., 2010. The public's knowledge of mobile communication and its influence on base station siting preferences. Health, risk & society, 12 (3), 231-250. doi:10.1080/13698571003710332
16. Cuijpers, C. and Koops, B., 2012. Smart metering and privacy in europe: lessons from the dutch case. In: S. Gutwirth, et al. eds. European data protection: coming of age. Dordrecht: Springer, 269-293.
17. De Graef, M.S. and Bröer, C., 2012. We are the canaries in the coal mine: establishing a disease category and new risk. Health, risk & society, 14 (2), 127-147.
18. Dietz, D., 2012. "Smart" meters crossroads [online]. The Register-Guard, 17 Apr. Available from: http://projects.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27908710-41/eweb-smart-meters-customers-meter.html.csp [Accessed 1 December 2013].
19. Dillon, J., 2011. In smart grid debate, co-ops pick hard-wire over wireless to cut cost [online]. Vermont public radio, 11 Nov. Available from: http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/92462/in-smart-grid-debate-co-ops-pick-hard-wire-over-wi//[Accessed 1 December 2013].
20. Drake, F., 2006. Mobile phone masts: Protesting the scientific evidence. Public understanding of science, 15 (4), 387-410. doi:10.1177/0963662506057246
21. Drake, F., 2011. Protesting mobile phone masts: Risk, neoliberalism, and governmentality. Science, technology, and human values, 36 (4), 522-548. doi:10.1177/0162243910366149
22. Driscoll, J., 2012. Stop and rethink the smart meter roll-out [online]. Which? Conversation, 15 Jan. Available from: http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/stop-smart-meter-roll-out-uk-government-electricity-gas/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
23. EI Wellspring, 2011. Smart meters in Sweden: accommodating people with EHS [online]. Available from: http://www.eiwellspring.org/index.html [Accessed 1 December 2013].
24. EI Wellspring, 2013. Smart meter information [online]. Available from: http://www.eiwellspring.org/smartmeter.html [Accessed 1 December 2013].
25. Elvers, H., et al., 2009. Mobile phones and health: media coverage study of German newspapers on possible adverse health effects of mobile phone use. Health, risk & society, 11 (2), 165-179. doi:10.1080/13698570902784273
26. EMF Safety Network, 2013. Find smart meter organizations in your area [online]. Available from: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?page_id=6914 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
27. Evans, J., 2012. The opt-out challenge [online]. Electric light and power, March/April. Available from: http://bv.com/docs/articles/the-opt-out-challenge.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
28. Forbush, J.R., 2011. Regulating the use and sharing of energy consumption data: assessing California's SB 1476 smart meter privacy statue. Albany law review, 75 (1), 341-377.
29. Freed, B., 2013. Ann-Arbor based group files appeal of DTE advanced meter mandate [online]. Ann Arbor News, 19 Jun. http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbor-based-group-files-appeal-of-dte-advanced-meter-mandate/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
30. General Electric, 2010. National survey: Americans willing to embrace new energy behaviors to affect change [online]. 24 Jun. Available from: http://www.genewscenter.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=10490&NewsAreaID=2&PrintPreview=True. [Accessed 1 December 2013].
31. Greene, J., 2012. DTE meter plan hits interference. Rate increase sought; court orders PSC hearing. Crain's Detroit business, 23 May, p. 3.
32. Hess, D. and Coley, J. 2014. Wireless smart meters and public acceptance: the environment, limited choices, and precautionary politics. Public understanding of science.
33. Hooks, C., 2013. As towns say no, signs of rising resistance to smart meters. New York Times, 18 May. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/us/as-texas-towns-say-no-signs-of-rising-resistance-to-smart-meters.html?_r=0 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
34. Hopkins, J., 2013. Trying to change minds in smart-meter debate [online]. Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. Available from: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-jonathan-libber-smart-meters-20130317,0,4437036.story?page=1 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
35. Idaho Power, 2013. Smart meter quality and security [online]. Available from: http://www.idahopower.com/ServiceBilling/Residential/Billing/AMR_QualitySecurity.cfm [Accessed 1 December 2013].
36. International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2011. IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans [online]. IARC Press Release 208. Available from: http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
37. Jamieson, I., 2013. Comments on health, human rights, environmental, and security concerns. Report filed with the British Columbia Utility Commission [online]. Available from: http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Proceedings/2013/DOC_33386_C9-10-1_CSTS_Jamieson-Evidence.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
38. Jeffrey, J., 2013. Legislation to outsmart Texas smart meters filed [online]. Austin business journal, 11 Apr. Available from: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/abj-at-the-capitol/2013/04/legislation-to-outsmart-texas-smart.html?s=print [Accessed 1 December 2013].
39. Lezaun, J. and Soneryd, L., 2007. Consulting citizens: technologies of elicitation and the mobility of publics. Public understanding of science, 16 (3), 279-297. doi:10.1177/0963662507079371
40. Lineweber, D., 2011. Understanding residential customer support for - and opposition to - smart grid investments. The electricity journal, 24 (8), 92-100. doi:10.1016/j.tej.2011.09.005
41. Luk, V., 2013. Lawsuit launched against BC Hydro over smart meters. Prince George Citizen, 24 Jul, p. 4.
42. Maine Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, 2013a. Intervenor-filed submissions by category and number [online]. Available from: http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/2013/04/intervenor-evidence/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
43. Maine Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, 2013b. Health archive [online]. Available from: http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/category/health/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
44. Maine Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, 2013c. LD 1476 would provide safe, secure energy to Mainers [online]. Available from: http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/2013/05/ld-1456/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
45. Mason, R., 2013. British families at risk from smart meters, campaigners tell MPs [online]. Daily Telegraph, 24 Apr. Available from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/10015679/British-families-at-risk-from-smart-meters-campaigners-tell-MPs.html [Accessed 1 December 2013].
46. McCarthy, K. and Hansen, L., 2012. Smart grids/smart meter [online]. State of Connecticut, Office of Legislative Research Report 2012-R-0392. Available from: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0392.htm [Accessed 1 December 2013].
47. McInnes, C., 2012. Evidence-based approach to smart meters a nice change: study finds installation poses no increased fire hazard. The Vancouver Sun, 17 Aug, p. A3.
48. McInnes, C., 2013. Dumb decisions plague BC's smart meter roll-out. The Vancouver Sun, 1 Feb, p. A1.
49. McMillan, T., 2013. HB 4315 [online]. Available from: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/pdf/2013-HIB-4315.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
50. Michigan Public Service Commission, 2012. U-17000 report to commission [online]. Available from: http://www.w4ar.com/MPSC_decision_June_29_20112_ALLOW_OPT_OUT.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
51. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2010. Guidelines for smart grid cyber security: vol. 2, privacy and the smart grid [online]. Available from: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistir/ir7628/nistir-7628_vol2.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
52. Nevada Constitution Alliance, 2013. Why we oppose smart meters [online]. Available from: http://www.nevadaconstitutionalalliance.com/why-we-oppose-smart-meters/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
53. Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner, 2012. Building privacy into Ontario's smart meter data management system: a control framework [online]. Available from: http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/pbd-ieso.pdf [Accessed 1 December 2013].
54. Robison, J., 2013. Nevada smart meters battle ends for good. Las Vegas review journal, 9 Jan [online]. Available from: http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/energy/smart-meters-battle-ends-good. [Accessed 1 December 2013].
55. Shaw, R., 2013. NDP pledges to seek alternatives for people who don't want smart meters [online]. Times Colonist, 12 Mar. Available from: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/ndp-pledges-to-seek-alternatives-for-people-who-don-t-want-smart-meter-1.89467 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
56. Simpson, S., 2012a. Smart meter foes told to narrow complaint: B.C. Human Rights Tribunal prepared to hear electrical sensitivity argument. The Vancouver Sun, 31 Aug, p. A2.
57. Simpson, S., 2012b. "Unusual" number of fires, smart meters linked: Ontario fire marshal says faulty base plates could be the cause, similar to Mission blaze. The Vancouver Sun, 4 Aug, p. A5.
58. Skelton, C., 2013. Gulf Islanders far more likely to refuse smart meters. The Vancouver Sun, 13 Aug, p. A1.
59. Smith, J., 2013. Smart meters in Victoria: information and concerns [Version 3; online]. Available from: http://stopsmartmetersau.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/smart-meters-in-victoria_information-and-concerns_version_3.pdf. [Accessed 1 December 2013].
60. Soneryd, L., 2007. Deliberations on the unknown, the unsensed, and the unsayable?: Public protests and the development of third-generation mobile phones in Sweden. Science, technology, and human values, 32 (3), 287-314. doi:10.1177/0162243906298352
61. Stephens, J., Peterson, T., and Wilson, E., 2013. Transformation or status quo: competing visions of 'smart grid.' In: Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Network. Worcester, MA: Clark University.
62. Stop Smart Meters, 2013. Anti-smart meter protests disrupt smart grid conference [online]. 22 Mar. Available from: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2013/03/22/anti-smart-meter-protesters-disrupt-smart-grid-conference/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
63. Stop Smart Meters Australia, 2013. Dizziness [online]. Available from: http://stopsmartmeters.com.au/category/dizziness/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
64. Stricker, L., 2011. Tim Hudak would scrap smart meters [online]. Sudbury Times, 21 Apr. Available from: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2011/04/20/tim-hudak-would-scrap-smart-meters [Accessed 1 December 2013].
65. Thistle, S., 2013. Bill would eliminate $12-per-month 'opt-out' fee for smart meters in Maine [online]. Bangor Daily News, 27 Mar. Available from: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/03/27/politics/bill-would-eliminate-12-per-month-opt-out-fee-for-smart-meters-in-maine/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
66. Trans-Atlantic Consumer Dialogue, 2011. Resolution on privacy and security related to smart meters [online]. Doc. No. INFOSOC 44-11. Available from: http://tacd.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=83&Itemid=40 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
67. Tripwire, Inc., 2013. Tripwire UK smart meter poll [online]. Available from: http://www.tripwire.com/company/news/smart-meters-privacy/ [Accessed 1 December 2013].
68. Vermont State Legislature, 2012. An act relating to the Vermont energy act of 2012. S. 214 [online]. Available from: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=S.0214&Session=2012 [Accessed 1 December 2013].
69. West, M., 2012. Power plays not such a clever move for households. Sydney Morning Herald, 28 Nov, p. 2.
70. Wilder, F., 2012. Texas Tea Parties take on the menace of "smart meters." Texas Observer, 30 Mar. Available from: http://www.texasobserver.org/texas-texas-parties-take-on-the-menace-of-smart-meters/ [Accessed 13 September 2013].
71. Wynne, B., 2006. Public engagement as a means of restoring public trust in science - hitting the notes, but missing the music? Community genetics, 9 (3), 211-220. doi:10.1159/000092659