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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bob Freeman |
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Freeman smart meters proposal moved out of committee
HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, said the House Energy and Environmental Resources Committee Wednesday moved to the full House for consideration a bill he authored that would require electric utilities to provide “smart meter” technology to all customers, and to offer rate information that would allow customers to shift their electricity use voluntarily to non-peak periods and save money on their electric utility bills.
“Allowing customers to control when they use appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can add up to significant savings if consumers know when electricity rates are the lowest,” Freeman said. “Consumers will make more of an effort to conserve electricity if we make it easy for them, and smart meters are a vital tool in helping citizens. A poll earlier this year by Susquehanna Polling and Research found that a majority of people of Pennsylvania want this technology, so they already understand how smart meters will help them save money.”
Smart meters allow customers to see how much electricity they use at any given time. Freeman said that when smart meters are used in conjunction with known electricity rates at peak and off-peak times, residential customers can see significant savings in their electricity bills, no matter the size of the household.
“My legislation gives electric companies nine years to bring this technology to their customers,” Freeman said. “In the Lehigh Valley, PPL has already offered smart meters to some of their customers, and the company has also benefited. Smart meters make it easier to identify areas where power is out, and can also help resolve billing disputes.”
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Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Freeman is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA136 (7-2-136) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.
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CONTACT: Ruth A. Myers |