Smithville, MO (Kansas City, Excelsior Springs, Kearney: house, utilities, living)

[horserider809]

Hello

we are looking at the possibility of relocating to the Kansas City area and we are looking to maybe move to Smithville MO because we are wanting the small town living. In light of these smart meters being in the media again, I am curious to know if Smithville, MO has the smart meters? You never know in the small towns how updated they are and sometimes, not being up on the latest things can be a plus! :-) Also, can anyone tell me what major landmarks are close to Smithville and what other surrounding cities would be good to look at as well that are the smaller communities.

Thanks

[kcmo]

What is a smart meter?

[DB67824]

Originally Posted by kcmo

What is a smart meter?

It's the new meters that monitors your electricity use that they are installing all over the US with the exception of certain states who have banned them. It cuts down on having to have employees to walk house to house reading meters.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by DB67824

It's the new meters that monitors your electricity use that they are installing all over the US with the exception of certain states who have banned them. It cuts down on having to have employees to walk house to house reading meters.

That's what I thought, but what's the big deal with them? I think that's what we have here. I find it odd to consider something like that when looking at where to live. But I don't know about them I guess.

[Okey Dokie]

Smithville is served by KCP&L (Kansas City Power and Light) and they definitely have smart meters. If you can go on-line and see your real-time usage, you're on a smart meter, be it gas, electric, water, whatever. kcmo, I think the big concern is that with this technology somehow the utility will use it to ration electricity if you're using too much. I think I have a better chance for energy problems with the increasing regulation of coal-fired power plants than with a smart meter, but I suppose that's a topic for a different thread.

Anyway, OP, Smithville was at one time its own little town but it, like towns like Platte City and Kearney, are slowly being taken over by suburbia. You might also look at Excelsior Springs.

[GraniteStater]

Smart meters are a bridge technology as things become ever more efficient over time. That is why the big utilities with their obsolete centralized model hate technology because they know it will eat into their profits. However, they will never build coal again because it is expensive, uses obsolete technology, and the public doesn't want it. We're left with natural gas, renewables, and nuclear. Energy efficiency has shown to mitigate any need for additional base capacity, and growth in wind energy installations have helped in that regard over the last 10 years.