Some Oklahomans are not alone in their protest of the use of smart meters by Oklahoma Gas and Electric and the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. Protesters in Michigan had the backing of their attorney who challenged Consumers Energy’s ability to recover the costs of the smart meters.
But the Michigan Appeals Court upheld a 2013 decision by state regulators to allow the company to roll out the high-tech meters. It was a 2-1 decision in which the court said state regulators relied on sufficient evidence supplied by the company.
Still, the lone dissenting judge, Peter O’Connell was not convinced and said the Public Service Commission didn’t go far enough in exploring the matter. He argued the appeals court could not carry out a meaningful review. Judge O’ Connell also said his fellow judges, Michael Gadola and Karen Fort Hood did not follow the orders of the Michigan Supreme Court in taking a solid look at the case.
The smart meters used by PSO and OGE in Oklahoma have been the focus of some objections and protests by consumers but the Corporation Commission has supported the use of the high-tech equipment.