Smart Meters Raise Health, Privacy and Constitutional Concerns

Mike Maharrey | Tenth Amendment Center | Source URL

I get more emails about smart meters than any other issue we cover. Pretty much on a weekly basis, somebody asks me how they can opt out of installing these devices in their homes or businesses.


These devices raise health, privacy and constitutional issues.

Smart meters emit RF radiation, similar to cell phones. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Officials downplay the health risks, but some people believe long-term exposure to smart meter radiation could cause health problems.

The Tenth Amendment Center got into the smart meter issue because of the overwhelming privacy issues and the fact that the federal government unconstitutionally serves as a significant funding source for smart meter programs.

Privacy Concerns





No Smart Meter, No Data

So, how can we stop government agencies from using smart meters to peer into our lives? We can simply refuse to install them on our property. This is the only sure-fire way to ensure your energy use data won’t fall into the hands of government agents and private marketers, or end up stored in some kind of government database.

Of course, utility companies want you to have a smart meter. These devices allow them to control your energy usage. Utilities want this power because it saves them money and allows them to more easily manage their power grids. As a result, many companies penalize customers who opt out of smart meter programs, and some go a step further and simply require them as a condition of service.

That’s where state and local action can make a difference. State laws and city ordinances can require utility companies to allow customers to opt out without any fees or penalties. These laws make opting out a legal option for residents and give them control over their own privacy.

Impact on Federal Program


The federal government lacks any constitutional authority to fund smart grid technology. The easiest way to nullify such programs is to simply not participate. Opt-out laws makes that possible. If enough states pass similar legislation, and enough people opt out, the program will go nowhere.


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