PNM begins smart meter rollout amid billing complaints, heat-driven demand

If you live in New Mexico, you may have noticed utility crews in your neighborhood lately. Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) has started installing smart meters at homes and businesses across the state, kicking off a two-and-a-half-year project to roll out more than 560,000 of these devices by the end of 2028. The effort is part of a larger $344 million grid modernization plan approved by state regulators in 2024, with $185 million of that going specifically toward the meters and their installation.

For parents who've been trying to minimize EMF exposure at home, this rollout is worth paying attention to. Smart meters, made by Itron Inc. for this project, use two-way wireless communication to send usage data back to the utility — which means they emit radiofrequency signals, unlike the old analog meters that simply measured consumption. PNM says the switch will reduce its reliance on in-person meter readers, and the utility is hoping the new system will also help address the billing problems that have frustrated customers during recent heatwaves, including estimated bills and multi-month charges that drew a formal inquiry from the state Attorney General's office.

What This Means for Your Home

It's worth noting that smart meters typically transmit in short, periodic bursts rather than continuously, and EMF exposure drops off quickly with distance — so a meter mounted on an exterior wall generally contributes far less to your household's overall exposure than devices you use directly, like phones, routers, or hair dryers held close to your head. If you're already mindful of EMF in daily life, it may make more sense to focus energy there first. For instance, if you're shopping for a new low-EMF hair dryer, it's a more direct and controllable exposure than a meter on the other side of a wall.

That said, if you want to be proactive about your home's overall EMF profile, especially once smart meters, Wi-Fi, and other wireless devices are all active in the same space, some families look into layered strategies like EMF shielding paint for rooms where they spend the most time, such as bedrooms or nurseries. Pairing that with good indoor air quality — a low-EMF air purifier can help here — is a reasonable way to address both air and electromagnetic concerns without overhauling your entire house.

For now, PNM's rollout is moving forward statewide, and homebuyers in New Mexico should expect smart meters to become standard over the next few years. If you're house hunting or renovating, it's a good moment to think through your home's overall EMF exposure plan rather than reacting to any single device.

Originally reported by abqjournal.com