I don't confuse the two but I know smart meters are simply the "camel's nose under the tent" for Big Brother thermostats. Once ratepayers are comfortable with that concept, centrally-controlled thermostats will follow like night follows day.
Utility companies and state PUCs have happily jumped into bed with Obama's energy program. When he says under his plan energy prices "will necessarily skyrocket," that's music to their ears. My electricity rates have more than doubled in the past 3 years and "smart meters" will increase them even more. My "smart" water meter has caused my bill to jump about 20% even with a decrease in usage. I trust the utility companies as much as I trust the EPA.
Move out of town, dig you a well and get off the grid.
My electric went down in the past few years, same KWHr usages, lower cost as have locked in on gas generated power.
Naturally, if nobama is still here come end of Jan. 2013, then the sky’s the limit for everyone not in Texas.