Not only is remote disconnect incorporated into meters, but add-on collars allow us to retrofit existing meters by inserting them between the meter and socket. The list of risk items associated with remote-disconnect doesn't include "taliban attack" because it's assumed that the server controlling remote disconnects is as secure as the server that processes credit card information. We dont list it because its a standard IT delimma, not a remote disconnect specific danger.

The purpose of remote-disconnect is to quickly and effectively remove service from people who dont pay for its use, using the least amount of employees possible. Here's a newsflash for you, remote disconnect or not, if you don't pay your bill I will send a lineman to shut you off. It will be done today. We called you twice, sent the letter as required by law, probably even left a door hanger. If you are home when the lights go out, you can pay the lineman cash or check and hell be back tomorrow to turn you back on. We have to make sure your check clears, that you paid enough to be current etc.

With remote disconnect you can call the office with a cellphone as soon as the lights go out, pay with a credit card and I'll turn you back on in 10min. In addition, remote disconnect allows us to offer a new service called "pre-paid power" you pay us $100 and you can use $100 worth of electricity then you are disconnected. Remote disconnected allows us to work out a deal with your grandfather, well turn on the irrigation pivot at his farm at a time he specifies, and leave it running for as along as he can afford. He doesnt have to leave the golf course, or stop watching the grandkids to attend to watering the back 40.

The connect/disconnect fees remain, we have to pay for the phone calls, voicemails, letters, door-hangers, remote disconnect collar, bandwidth, and inside office staff that spend all day hassling you over $50. This fee is also to punish you for violating your contract with us, which stated you would require our service and pay for its use. Some outfits have lowered the fee to reflect the loss of the lineman in this chain because their pay is a considerable expense.

The "survival level" is set by a federal commission and overseen by a smaller state commission, and our lending institution's power of the purse. If we dont follow the rules on disconnect notification and survival levels we would be fined, lose our charter, or our bank would refuse to loan us operating money.

Nothing has changed here, except we turn you off faster when you dont pay. This keeps rates lower for actual paying customers. We dont need to squeeze poor people, we have rich oil companies to squeeze right now.