San Francisco Gate, 14 October 2010

Power companies say new "smart meter" technology will cut energy use, benefit the environment and allow utilities to pinpoint problems during power outages more quickly.

But critics say the technology poses health risks and raises concerns about privacy and security.

Various studies say there's little or no evidence to suggest that exposure to radio frequencies from wireless network devices, such as the so-called smart meters, constitute health threats. But that's not stopping an outcry from smart-meter opponents who say additional investigation is warranted.

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