[sinanju]

Anybody who thinks this has anything to do with economy should invest in my perpetual motion machine.

It’s about control. Just like medical care, electricity in Obama’s Brave New America will be tightly rationed.

[Andyman]

You are 100% correct. I know a guy who is in the business. Under development are systems that will allow remote control of your electrical devices. This would include TVs, A/C units, freezers . . . down to the light switch level.

Such remote control is currently available, but not to the level where other people can control the devices in your home.

[Dahoser]

Exactamundo! I already have a smart meter. It's called my brain. I know from the amount of my bill and the breakdown in usage whether and where I need to make changes for the following month.

This is just more of the wet dreams of the central planners coming to fruition.

[Kent C]

It’s about control.

Exactly. Get a consumer used to it, trying to figure out how best to save money then later they say 'nevermind' we'll do it for you" - they take complete control and then you're freezing in the winter and sweating in the summer and nothing you can do about it. [Except there will be a black market hacker business that builds up around the smart meter market ;-)....]