Dive Summary:

• The Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) will begin holding hearings on January 15 regarding procedures that could allow customers of DTE Energy to opt-out of smart mater installation in their homes.
• A ruling on the matter isn't expected until the spring and the issue is tangled up with a PSC ruling concerning a DTE rate case.
• To date, about 800,000 smart meters have been installed across three Michigan counties serviced by DTE; the utility is currently suing a couple who removed and replaced smart meters at two of their homes without permission.

From the article:

Dominic and Lillian Cusumano, a couple who own homes in Addison Township in Oakland County and St. Clair Shores in Macomb County, have been sued by DTE for replacing “the advanced meter with a new, unauthorized meter” that was not a smart meter, DTE said.

A smart meter is an electrical meter that uses radio frequency to record electrical consumption in intervals of time.

DTE said claims by critics of smart meters are not correct in saying they are capable of monitoring usage of specific electrical appliances. ...