Massachusetts witnesses urge no‑fee smart‑meter opt‑out as utilities rollouts advance

Lawmakers heard extended public testimony urging passage of bills that would require utilities to notify customers before installing digital smart meters, allow a non‑transmitting analog meter choice, and eliminate opt‑out fees.

The topic drew some of the most emotional testimony of the hearing as dozens of witnesses described new or worsening health problems they attribute to radio‑frequency emissions from digital meters and asked legislators to pass H.3551 and S.2306. Cecilia Doucette, director of Massachusetts for Safe Technology, told the committee, “it is critical we pass ... no fee smart meter opt out bills with urgency,” and she urged legislators to support an emergency preamble on the bills to protect public health. Several other witnesses — including parents and people who identified themselves as medically sensitive — said they have had to change homes or take costly steps to reduce exposure after meters were installed.

The bills would require utilities to notify residents before swapping analog meters for digital devices, guarantee a non‑transmitting analog meter option, and bar monthly opt‑out charges that testimony described as financially punitive. Jean Lemieux, president of the Massachusetts Association for…