Smart Grid Pushback

It’s hard to imagine anyone’s objecting to smart grid, a subject that holds so much potential to enable a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to generate, transmit, distribute and consume electrical energy.  When I first heard that there were people who proffered up serious concern about health and privacy issues, I recall asking, “How many?  Four?”  Sadly, the answer is that a lunatic fringe movement has grown up around this point, and that fringe, contrary to the definition of the word, is actually fairly robust. 

To these unfortunate and misguided souls, I suggest:

• If you’re concerned about risks to your health, just go into your nearest high school and speak about this with anyone who teaches science.

• If you’re sincerely worried about privacy and you use a computer or telephone, learn a bit about the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), whose invasion of your privacy is a billion times greater than your electric company’s knowing how and when you use the power you’re buying from them.