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Photo courtesy CMPI almost choked on my coffee when I read the story "New CMP meters to help customers save on power" (Oct. 28). Am I the only one to catch the absurdity of this?
Central Maine Power is getting a grant from an economic stimulus act to eliminate jobs in the middle of a recession. Huh? Billions of our tax dollars are spent to save jobs at GM and Chrysler, but in Maine it's $100 million in taxes to eliminate 85 jobs?
The fact is that CMP has been trying to get rid of meter readers for 20 years. Remember the effort that began in the '90s to read meters every other month? This is a cost-cutting effort, pure and simple.
CMP claims that it is doing this for the customer. OK, more info on how I use electricity is good.
But I can text message my cell phone company to find out how many minutes I have left and I can call my bank for an up-to-the minute account balance. As far as I can tell, neither of these private businesses used tax money to develop these services.
CMP says that this will help customers manage their costs. Wait a minute; my rate doesn't vary by time of day. So how will I save? Will CMP be changing my rate plan next?
Remember that CMP is now an electric transmission company; it makes its money by charging a fee for every kilowatt-hour that goes over the lines. Does it really want me to use less electricity? Will it reduce the amount it charges for transmission by time of day, too? Don't count on it!
It's telling that we, the taxpayers and consumers, have to pay CMP to do what is good for customers. And make no mistake; what CMP says is good for its customers is even better for its own profit.
Curtis Mildner
Kennebunk
CMP's new "smart meters" will help cut costs by eliminating 85 jobs held by meter readers who will no longer be necessary.
CMP reported, however, that while 85 jobs would be lost, it would create 200 jobs for the installation of these new wonder meters.
So according to CMP, 200 temporary jobs is better than 85 long-term positions, so this is good.
Are we consumers smarter than the smart meter? Not if we swallow this piece of "good news."
John Bennett
Portland
I just read that CMP is to get a $96 million grant for "smart meters." This story left me with more questions than answers.
First of all, if a company has $96 million to match this grant, does it really need a government grant?
I'm also curious about these smart meters; will they still need meter readers, or is the Recovery Act actually being used to lay off more workers?
CMP may need to update its equipment, but should tax dollars be used for a private company?
As for Rep. Chellie Pingree's comments. I'd like to know how "creating a 'smart grid' in Maine will put our state in an even better position to develop new sources of clean energy."
Shoudn't we use these funds and actually build a state-run wind farm; wouldn't that be a source of clean energy? With all this federal recovery money being spent, shouldn't we be building government assets instead of funding private companies?
Daniel Boynton
Casco
