Electricity needs when the grids down.

[kellys_eye]

As above. Meters are in the property and access is only permitted with permission of the owner so you can, in theory, prevent the supplier from entry permanently if you wanted to. I believe they might have legal recourse for access in the event of a situation where life may be at risk???? Dunno - any legal eagles here? (so we can identify you when we need some target practice!).

As for reading them, we are allowed to forward readings ourselves or the supplier sends an estimated bill based on whatever previous readings they may have. You can, of course, game the system and under-read but you only build up future debt this way and they will, eventually, get a reading.

Smart Meters are already on course to limit electricity use in Commifornia (even Texas FFS) where shortages are rampant due to ignorant belief in global warming (CO2) and concentrating energy production on green systems that simply don't cut the mustard.

Very little is made of the real purpose behind Smart Meters but you only need to know that you never get freedoms awarded, you have to fight for them and if you just 'allow' Smart Meters to roll out you're giving away freedom (of one sort or another) eventually.

Remember, it's not what they do with them NOW that's of concern. It's what they will do with them WHEN THEY FEEL THEY ARE READY that you have to worry about.