Resident Asks City To Ban Smart Meter Fees

Smart Meters are being installed by utility companies, including Kosciusko REMC and NIPSCO, which are basically wireless devices used to transmit utility usage directly to the utility companies. Warsaw resident Rich Gaul says the meters are a violation of privacy.
Gaul says Smart Meters are a health issue, security risk and an privacy invasion. He also says the meters result in unfair billing, hackable technology and could even lead to potential economic disaster. He likens the new technology to illegal wiretapping and surveillance of all residents of Warsaw as well as Kosciusko County.
At Monday night’s Warsaw Common Council meeting, Gaul again asked the council if they had reviewed an email he sent to each member regarding the meters. He also asked the city officials to take a stand and ban Kosciusko REMC and NIPSCO from enforcing opt-out fees.
KREMC and NIPSCO are both using Smart Meters, which are devices that wirelessly send information about electricity use to utility billing departments. They are devices the utility companies say could help consumers control energy use, but devices which Gaul says are not only dangerous to human lives, but illegal.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the city has no authority over the utility companies and that Gaul would need to file a complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Councilman Jeff Grose agreed with Thallemer, but also advised Gaul to approach Kosciusko County Commissioners and the Kosciusko County Council as the county has a larger population of residents affected by the Smart Meters.
Gaul said he appreciated any help the council could provide and would continue to pursue a ban of the Smart Meters opt-out fees.