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Levelland residents voice health and privacy concerns about smart meters as city begins meter project
Summary
Two residents urged the council to halt or reconsider the city—s smart/water meter rollout, citing privacy and health risks; city staff said the water meter project began and will be monitored.
Two Levelland residents used the public-comment portion of the meeting to urge the city to reconsider installation of smart meters, raising privacy and health concerns. City staff later told the council that a citywide water-meter project had begun that day and will be monitored closely.
Sean Anderson of 308 12th Street told council members that smart meters and their associated communications networks collect continuous usage data that can reveal household routines and argued the devices are "health hazards" and "surveillance devices." Anderson referenced a U.S. Department of Energy report and a Santa Cruz County public-health report in California as part of his remarks and said he did not consent to smart meters being installed at his home.
Larissa Howard of 710 15th Street also expressed concern about grid vulnerabilities and the fee charged to residents who refuse smart meters; she asked the city for clearer volunteer and contact options to help with parks and other community efforts.
City staff later reported the water meter replacement project had begun "in full swing" and said staff would monitor the rollout and address problems as they arise. Staff did not announce policy changes or a pause to the meter project during the meeting.
