I know the folks at the company that is installing these millions of meters. There’s some nut-job(s) in CA making a big stink about the radio emissions/health, etc. As I understand it, the radio modules in this particular case are not that different than wi-fi. Why doesn’t CA get rid of wi-fi, cell phones and other causes of radiation?
The whole point of the new meters was better management of power and eliminating the need to send meter readers (who were bitched at, shot at, attacked by dogs, etc).
What you said is true, but not the whole point by any means. What they really want to do is have a sliding pay scale for their power. If they have to turn on the old gas boilers or buy their power during peak hours from out-of-state generation then they want to know how much you use WHEN you use it so they can adjust your KPH charge accordingly.
Also what they want more that the meters is the ability to control your air conditioning and hot water tank thermostat (if electric) so they can shut down literally millions of them at their convenience during peak hours or the day. This will lower their dependence on purchasing power from other producers which is not nearly as profitable as generating all they need with what they have, keeping the higher profit margin in-house and not giving it to their competitors.