"It's a freedom bill, and it
gives the citizens of
A smart meter calculates how much energy a customer is using and then uses a signal to send it back to the utility company.
"People are concerned that the utility companies will get their data and sell it to other companies," Glass says. "It's just a big issue, and this bill would allow people to refuse a smart meter."
Glass says the meters can cause health problems and pose a privacy issue.
"Many people think that there's health risks involved," Glass says. "If you have a pacemaker, it could affect that. If you have even an invisible fence in your yard, it could affect how that works. Your dog could run through the fence, attack somebody, and you would be liable for it."
He sponsored a similar bill last year, which failed. This year, his bill has bi-partisan support, and he's more confident it will pass.
The House Economic Matters Committee heard the bill Thursday. It will go to the full house floor for debate if it makes it out of committee. You can read it by clicking here.
Delegate Patrick Hogan (R) of
