Landmark smart meter case won

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Skelton, Taintor & Abbott Wins Landmark Smart Meter Case

http://www.skeltontaintorabbott.net/news/85/77/Skelton-Taintor-Abbott-Wins-Landm\

ark-Smart-Meter-Case.html

On behalf of several Maine residents,  Skelton, Taintor & Abbott secured a

landmark decision that will benefit  utility customers throughout the

country. Alan Stone, chair of the firm's energy law group, successfully

convinced

the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to find that it was an unjust

and unreasonable practice for Central Maine Power Company (CMP) to refuse to

permit residential and small commercial customers to opt-out of CMP’s smart

meter program.   

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott represented a group of customers in a complaint

against CMP, and convinced the MPUC to order CMP to offer customers the

option of opting out of the smart meter program and retaining their existing

electromagnetic meters. Stone proved that because of unresolved concerns

relating to health, privacy and cyber security resulting from the installation

of

wireless meters on their homes, customers should have a choice concerning the

installation of those meters.   CMP argued vigorously that customers should

not be allowed to opt out, and the MPUC found that position to be unjust

and unreasonable.   

The Portland Press Herald has described the decision as a “landmark†case

that represents the first time any state had ordered an electric utility to

permit customers the choice to opt out of a smart meter program.  The case

has been followed by other Public Utilities Commissions and utility experts

around the country, and will serve as precedent for others in the

determination of how to resolve what has become a growing debate about customer

choice

and smart meters.    

Alan Stone is also chair of the trial practice group at Skelton, Taintor

and Abbott, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of Energy Law.

On behalf of several Maine residents,  Skelton, Taintor & Abbott secured a

landmark decision that will benefit  utility customers throughout the

country. Alan Stone, chair of the firm's energy law group, successfully

convinced

the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to find that it was an unjust

and unreasonable practice for Central Maine Power Company (CMP) to refuse to

permit residential and small commercial customers to opt-out of CMP’s smart

meter program.   

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott represented a group of customers in a complaint

against CMP, and convinced the MPUC to order CMP to offer customers the

option of opting out of the smart meter program and retaining their existing

electromagnetic meters. Stone proved that because of unresolved concerns

relating to health, privacy and cyber security resulting from the installation

of

wireless meters on their homes, customers should have a choice concerning the

installation of those meters.   CMP argued vigorously that customers should

not be allowed to opt out, and the MPUC found that position to be unjust

and unreasonable.   

The Portland Press Herald has described the decision as a “landmark†case

that represents the first time any state had ordered an electric utility to

permit customers the choice to opt out of a smart meter program.  The case

has been followed by other Public Utilities Commissions and utility experts

around the country, and will serve as precedent for others in the

determination of how to resolve what has become a growing debate about customer

choice

and smart meters.    

Alan Stone is also chair of the trial practice group at Skelton, Taintor

and Abbott, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of Energy Law.

~~~~~

Submitted by Shivani Arjuna

www.LifeEnergies.com

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