The “smart” devices are supposed to be more efficient, help consumers optimize their electrical usage, expedite service teams to specific areas after power outages resulting from storms and eliminate the need for manual meter reading.
“This is smart-phone technology,” said Dennis McKee, Consumers Energy communications director for Smart Energy. “We live in the information age, and this is attractive to most of our customers. A lot of folks like new technology, but what they’re concerned about it is privacy. Our meters do not store any personal data.”
Opponents of smart meters suggest privacy, security and health issues aren’t being fully explored and utilities are passing on the hidden costs of these devices to the public.
“I tell them, ‘You’re not losing control of your energy use,’ ” McKee said of skeptics of the new technology. “We’re not part of some conspiracy to control people’s use of energy through government agencies. That’s ridiculous. It’s just not the case. As these become more commonplace, I’m sure those fears are going to be allayed.”
“It isn’t going to reduce costs for the individual. These ‘smart’ meters are costing millions and millions of dollars and Consumers is passing along these costs to users in the form of rate increases,” said Chiodo, 68, a Park Township Trustee and president of Ottawa County Patriots that advocates on behalf of Tea Party issues.
He said just 1.27 percent of customers surveyed have objected to the installation of smart meters, which began in Muskegon County last summer. Almost 60,000 homes have been equipped with “smart" meters and Consumers Energy plans to install 1.8 million devices around the state through the end of 2019.
It’ll be installing meters in Ottawa County south of the Grand River and the northern portion of Allegan County before the end of April or early May. Some meters already have been installed in parts of Ottawa County north of the Grand River.
The installation process will interrupt service for about 3 minutes, but Consumers Energy notifies residents and small-business owners 30 days in advance of the procedure and sends a reminder notice 14 days prior to showing up, he said.
He has met with 138 different groups, including 90 last year alone, to help dispel myths about public health concerns and privacy issues resulting from the new devices.
He also pointed out Consumers Energy took no stimulus money from governmental agencies to implement its program. It is installing encoded and encrypted meters that are more “passive” than other utilities since they transmit usage data once each day to cellular towers and keep no credit card or personal information.
“We are convinced these are perfectly safe devices,” McKee said. “This is the device that is going to help us save money. We believe these ‘smart’ meters are going to help keep our rates from rising as fast as they would without installing them.”
DTE Energy has been criticized for accepting subsidies to install its “smart” meters in the Detroit area, Chiodo said. Twenty-four municipalities or groups in Michigan have passed resolutions or moratoriums on ‘smart’ meters until they’re investigated ear cap, he added.
With a population of 24 million, the Republic of Ghana is experiencing rapid expansion of cross-border travel. Recognizing the need to improve the security and efficiency of its existing procedures, the country’s immigration service has turned to Gemalto to deliver the benefits of a country-wide electronic border management system based on biometric authentication.
Gemalto acts as prime contractor and will take responsibility for integrating the advanced visa and border management solution, including change management, transitional training and maintenance services. The company will deploy border management systems at Ghana’s main ports of arrival and will implement a fully computerized system for visa and permit applications processing and issuing, with the collaboration of Avalon Biometrics. The project also covers the set up of an online portal service for visa application, and the implementation of electronic gates at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, for rapid, convenient and automated border control of arrivals and departures.
This mission-critical solution will streamline processes, reinforce national security and provide the GIS with enhanced border information and intelligence. Aided by biometric data, the authorities will be able to account accurately for everyone entering and leaving the country. The system will also improve the traveling experience, delivering faster and significantly more convenient border control procedures for visitors.
“To maintain Ghana’s economic development, we need an immigration system that can meet the challenges of rapid growth in international travel,” said Commissioner of Police Dr. Peter A. Wiredu, Director of Ghana Immigration Service. “Gemalto contributed to over 80 successful government programs worldwide and has all the required project management skills, reputation and expertise to deliver the country’s new IT infrastructure”.
“This advanced electronic identity management system is fundamental to the whole eGhana project,” said Ari Bouzbib, Senior Vice President for Government Programs at Gemalto. “It will put the country’s border control processes on par with the latest, cutting-edge practices worldwide. In addition to helping to transform Ghana, it can serve as a template for modernization across many other countries in Africa.”
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