Do I have to have a smart meter installed?
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Do I have to have a smart meter installed?
I have moved into a house that has a smart meter but it is not working. The
utility company has not realized this yet. I have researched smart meters and am aware of their many health and privacy issues. I am a 3 time cancer survivor and also have multiple chemical and other sensitivities. I have not reported the defective meter yet because I do not want it replaced with a working smart meter. I do not know whether my utility company has an opt out program. I have asked this question of 2 different people by phone but they could not get an answer without giving my personal information, which I am not prepared to do yet. Do I have the legal right to refuse a smart meter in TN? Can the utility company legally charge me more or disconnect my service? What is the best way to approach this situation?
Asked on September 24, 2018 under Business Law, Tennessee
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
There is no right to refuse a smart meter or otherwise demand a meter of your choosing or preference. The utility has the right to decide how its product/service is delivered, metered, and managed; if you don't want a smart meter, you would have to find another utility provider which does not use them, or else find a way to "go off the grid." The issue is, you do not set technical, etc. policy for the utility; they set it.
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