I have heard that signals emitted from the new meters pose a health hazard. Do Central Electric’s new meters put me at risk?

Some utility customers in other parts of the country raise concerns that wireless transmissions from AMI meters pose a health risk. While this is a hotly debated issue and has not been fully resolved, there is a major distinction between the technology in question in these other areas and that used by Central Electric. Allegations of health impacts are directed at meters using wireless technology to send data from the meter to the utility. Central Electric uses wired technology; the data is sent over the existing power line that brings electricity to the home or business. There is no signal transmitted from the meter via the airwaves.

We utilize the low frequency 60-hertz power line signal on our existing wired infrastructure as the carrier for our meter-to-substation communications. Our decision was based on practicality and wise economics. With our low customer density, vast 5,300 square-mile service area, and rugged terrain, wireless technology would have been a very expensive and less reliable option. Using the existing wired infrastructure was a much better option for Central Electric and our members.