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By Paska Ann

Connecticut residents currently have no meaningful choice when it comes to the type of electric meter installed on their homes.

Smart meters — wireless devices capable of transmitting data remotely — have been deployed by default across much of the state. These meters operate continuously and cannot be turned off by the homeowner. Most residents were never presented with an alternative at the time of installation.

For many, this is not about opposing technology. It is about something more basic: consumer choice.

In most consumer transactions, customers are offered options. We can choose internet providers, phone models, or thermostats. Yet when it comes to a device physically attached to our home — a device that transmits wirelessly and collects interval data — there is currently no straightforward mechanism in Connecticut to select a non-transmitting alternative.

This becomes increasingly relevant as Connecticut expands high-density housing. In apartment complexes and mixed-use developments, entire banks of meters are often installed on shared walls. Infrastructure density grows alongside housing density, yet the option to select a non-wireless meter does not.

Several states have recognized the importance of meter choice. Vermont, for example, allows customers to refuse a smart meter without additional monthly fees. Other states provide structured opt-out programs or alternative meter options. Connecticut has yet to adopt a similar framework.

A proposed bill now being discussed would not ban smart meters. It would simply require utilities to:

• Offer customers a choice between wireless and non-transmitting meters.
• Provide clear disclosure before installation.
• Refrain from charging additional fees to customers who select a non-transmitting option.

In short, it would restore a basic principle: that homeowners should have a say in what equipment is attached to their property.

This issue is not about fear or ideology. It is about transparency, fairness, and aligning utility practices with ordinary consumer expectations.

Connecticut residents who support meter choice can review and sign the petition here:

https://form.jotform.com/260265224246149?

The number of signatures will determine whether legislators take up the proposal during the this session.

If you prefer not to sign the petition - please contact the Energy and Technology Committee in Hartford as well as you elected Representatives and Senators.

Paska Ann is a co-founder of CT for Responsible Technology (CT4RT), a group focused on advocating for safer technology deployment in Connecticut. You can reach her at [email protected].

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