Energy Dept. says nationwide ‘smart meter’ army hits 2 million

“As a result of an unprecedented investment from the Recovery Act, smart meters are being installed in Ohio and across the country to create a more reliable, modern electrical grid and give consumers the ability to monitor and control their energy use,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a prepared statement.

DOE cited an analysis by the Electric Power Research Institute — a utility industry group — that found various “smart grid” technologies could trim power use by more than 4 percent annually by 2030. 

“That would mean a savings of $20.4 billion for businesses and consumers around the country each year and more than $700 million for Ohio alone — or $61 in annual utility savings for every man, woman and child in Ohio,” according to DOE.