Nevada regulators to launch inquiry into smart meters that catch fire

[Newsjock]

Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

State regulators decided today to launch a preliminary investigation into whether the 1.1 million smart meters installed on homes across the state by NV Energy pose a fire danger, demanding the utility turn over data on meter failures, the number of fires associated with the meters, any lawsuits involving the meters and internal investigation documents on meter fires.

The request for information comes after the Reno and Sparks fire chiefs raised the alarm on a series of fires they say are linked to smart meters in their cities, including the most recent blaze that killed a 61-year-old Reno woman.

"Given the lingering safety question presented by the Reno and Sparks fire departments' expert, staff believes it would be prudent for the commission to gather some information from NV Energy regarding any fires which have occurred where NV Energy equipment may have been involved," the PUC's lawyer Tammy Cordova wrote in an order compelling NV Energy to turn over documents. "Staff believes this information is required to ascertain whether any further inquiry is necessary."

Fire investigators have documented nine fires in Reno and Sparks since 2012 that they say originated at the smart meter.

Read more: http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/09/22/rgj-investigates-nevada-regulators-launch-inquiry-smart-meters/16085113/

[Louisiana1976]

1. That's interesting--smart meters causing fires in Sparks. More seriously, though, the local utility

where I live (central Illinois) is insisting that people switch over to smart meters. I'm wondering how worried I should be.