"Privacy Protection Needed as Smart Grid Arrives"

A press release from UC Berkeley's Law School, "Privacy Protection Needed as Smart Grid Arrives" points out privacy concerns with PG&E's Smart Meter project. In particular:

"Smart meters being installed now in California will collect 750 to 3,000 data points a month per household. This detailed energy usage data can indicate whether someone is at home or out, entertaining guests, or using particular appliances."

See "PG&E customer refuses to take smart meter, locks up old meter" for some of the controversy surrounding privacy and the accuracy of the meters.