Dive Summary:

• So far in 2012, the number of electrical customers using smart meters has risen by almost three million over the 2011 total; more than 36 million customers now have smart meters.
• West Virginia is the only state in the nation that didn’t report any smart meter installations in 2011, which is a result of state legislation and regulation.
• Among states with opt-out programs, utilities in Oregon, Maine, and California have reported that only a few customers have opted out.

From the article:

Electric meters with enhanced communication capabilities—an essential component of the smart grid—are becoming more prevalent. In 2011, more than 23% of all U.S. electrical customers had smart meters. These meters use two-way communication to connect utilities and their customers. They support demand response and distributed generation, can improve reliability, and also provide information that consumers can use to save money by managing their use of electricity. ...