Lack of savings in results (from smart meters)

There are questions whether electricity is or should be primarily a “when you need it” service where the inconvenience/cost-benefit ratio of time shifting of loads is poor. In the Chicago area Commonwealth Edison ran a test installing smart meters on 8,000 randomly selected households together with variable rates and rebates to encourage cutting back during peak usage.[19] In the Crain’s Chicago Business article Smart grid test underwhelms. In pilot, few power down to save money. it was reported that fewer that 9% exhibited any amount of peak usage reduction. and that the overall amount of reduction was “statistically insignificant”.[19] This was from a report by the Electric Power Research Institute, a utility industry think tank who conducted the study and prepared the report. Susan Satter, senior assistant Illinois attorney general for public utilities said “It’s devastating to their plan……The report shows zero statistically different result compared to business as usual.” [19]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_meter

Reference: highbeam.com/doc/1G1-257880926.html

Because it will cost so much to get a meter reader out there, say the electric co’s.

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/rejecting-smart-meters-a-costly-move/50955