Opelika committee to kick off smart grid meeting

Members of the Smart Grid Bill of Rights Committee will update the public on their progress since they were appointed by city leaders in November. Committee members also hope to get public input regarding the plan.

“We are here to listen to the concerns of the citizens and draft a Smart Grid Bill of Rights based on their input,” committee chairman Chuck Wacker said.

The committee was formed after some residents voiced privacy concerns about Opelika’s planned use of smart-grid technology. Opelika residents voted in August 2010 to allow the city to pursue a fiber-optic network featuring cable and Internet services while also offering smart-grid services.

City leaders say smart-grid technology will be advantageous in dealing with power outages, while it will also allow energy-conscious users enhanced monitoring of their consumption as well as the option of having Opelika Power Services control certain appliances, such as a water heater or air conditioner, during times of peak energy demand.

The six residents appointed to the committee are Wacker, the Rev. Michael Burton, Cathy Newkirk, Bill Kent, Mel Smith and Myles Tatum. Once the bill of rights is drafted, it will be submitted to the Opelika City Council for its approval.

The fiber-optic project is being funded through more than $28 million in revenue warrants the city issued in March 2011, which will be repaid through the project’s revenues.

City leaders hope the telecommunications service can begin serving customers by the end of the year.