Dive Summary:
- Recent news stories about fires affecting PECO customers in Pennsylvania have added to consumer anxieties about smart meters, and PECO has already taken steps to address the issue, but utilities need to be aware of how smart meter tech is being perceived, as well as how to deal with customer concerns.
- Mike Meehan at Smart Grid Sherpa writes that smart meter fire cases were disproportionately over-represented, compared to regular meter fires in his online research, and he notes that utilities need to be aware of this in their social media messaging.
- He also recommends clear safety plans and attention to repeated, consistent messaging strategies.
From the article:
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the anti-smart meter “sharks” have come back with force. The fire has literally been relit with the recent series of fires at PECO energy in Pennsylvania (PECO Smart meter fire). As expected, initial responses by the utility just add more fuel to the debate, and bring up the past litany of reasons against smart meters (Not the meters, but…): dangerous electromagnetic fields, big brother smart meter privacy concerns, little consumer value, power utility money grab. However, responses are required—both to address the possible root cause(s) for the fires, as well as the justified emotional concerns of the energy consumer. PECO has taken the solid first steps necessary, by suspending advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meter installations, and setting up additional testing for the meters in question. ...
