by Jolene Toves

Guam - The Guam Power Authority is moving forward with the installation of Smart Meters around the island. Despite being sued in federal court, the Guam Power Authority is moving forward with its Smart Meter installation project.

GPA spokesperson Art Perez said, "We have approximately close to 19,000 meters already installed in some different parts of the northern parts of the island we are continuing installation on those who have scheduled appointments who are inaccessible meters up in Dededo, Yigo, Machanao area we are still continuing in Tumon-Upper Tumon area."

The installation of the Smart Meters has seen its share of concerns from residents who would rather opt out and stick to the existing meters. "Right now, what we are doing is that customers that make the request we are simply bypassing those residences no determination no policy has been set yet as to what will be available as options for those customers," she said.

Perez says GPA is currently coming up with alternatives for customers who opt out of the new technology, those options will eventually will be presented to the Consolidated Commission on Utilities. "General manager is compiling information on what best practices other utilities are doing for those customers who are insistent on remaining on the existing technology," said Perez.

The best alternative however according to GPA is to opt in to the new technology. Perez said, "I want to remind customers that a lot of the applications that come with the new technology will not be made available to them prepaid services same day reconnects inaccessible those customers who have inaccessible meters we can remotely read their meters if its inaccessible due to an extension or to a lock gate."

The new Smart Meter technology allows customers to monitor their energy consumption at home through the internet-even being able to pinpoint the energy output of any given appliance linked to the grid. As for Tamuning resident Christopher Allen's lawsuit against GPA, it continues to move through the federal court. Allen has serious concerns about security and privacy as well as the safety and health of his family regarding the new Smart Meter technology.

Meanwhile a village meeting will be held tomorrow night at the Mongmong-Toto-Maite Community Center at 6:30. Other village meetings and installs will commence in a month in Hagatna, Agana Heights, and Sinajana, continuing in the central and southern villages.