Residents and advocates urge no‑fee smart‑meter opt‑out, cite health and equity concerns

Lawmakers heard hours of testimony calling for a no‑fee opt‑out from wireless smart meters and for utilities to provide non‑transmitting analog meters by request.

Advocates told the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy that mandatory smart‑meter rollouts by the state’s investor‑owned utilities are harming medically vulnerable people and imposing disproportionate fees on low‑income households. “No one should have to pay extra money to opt out of having a smart meter,” said Lisa Octaviano, who testified that her family experienced symptoms she attributed to smart‑meter radiation. “Consumers should have informed consent.”

The witnesses said the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ordered non‑advanced meters in some cases but that utilities are charging monthly opt‑out fees that range from about $26 to…