A quote from a friend about the above paper reference:
"The really amazing thing is that similar technology can be used for gas and water use, but requires a low cost (less than $50) but high bandwidth (essentially acoustic) pressure/flow sensor be installed. Something you may get with smart gas and water meters. They can detect a single dripping faucet or leaking toilet (and tell you which one) or give you a monthly total water use from a shower from ONE sensor on the water meter. F****** magic.. actually just very good time and frequency domain analysis, but still almost unreal."
In short this paper discusses how any electric utility supplied services to a residence can be analyzed at a very atomic level of operation. The comments also show how this is applicable to gas and water utility services too.
In addition, the head of Belkin (the company who purchased and is commercializing the technology) is a green fascist. He SPECIFICALLY wants to use the information to change and enforce behavior.
The product, now released, is called Belkin Echo. The launch customer is the US government.
You can have a smart meter installed, but just remember that another piece of your privacy is gone - and probably your control of your residence (see previous FReeper posts on new EPA refrigerator green program).
Is it possible to shield the meter so they can’t operate it remotely?