Rochester OKs Smart Meter Resolution

Rochester City Council approved on Monday night a resolution that asks for review and analysis of the DTE "" that are being installed in the city.

The resolution passed 7-0 without discussion.

It follows two months of public comments from residents of Rochester and neighboring communities who have expressed concerns about the possible health effects and privacy issues surrounding the new meters.

The resolution also asks the Michigan Public Services Commission, which regulates DTE and the state's public utilities, to require DTE to offer customers the ability to opt out of having a smart meter installed at their home.

DTE is installing 600,000 smart meters in southeast Michigan as part of an $83.8 million grant.

Smart meters measure and record electricity usage with digital technology instead of the traditional gears and dials. The technology involves the use of radio frequency waves to transmit data to DTE.

Rochester's full resolution reads, in part:

"Now therefore, be it resolved that the City Council for the City of Rochester urges the MPSC to initiate a careful review and analysis of the expressed public concerns regarding the DTE Smart Meter project.

"Be it further resolved, that the Rochester City Council requests that the MPSC require DTE to provide residents the ability to "opt out" of having a Smart Meter installed in their home."

Across town in Rochester Hills on Monday night, representatives of DTE were presenting that City Council with information about smart meters; more than a dozen residents and other concerned citizens questioned the DTE representatives and voiced their concerns. (Look for a full story on that meeting later on Patch.)