Business & Economy

Electric companies use more smart meters

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By NYLA HUGHES
Capital News Service
LANSING — Utility companies across Michigan are using digital smart-grid meters to locate power outages, resolve power problems and gather more accurate readings. The meters at homes and businesses are connected by a cellular power line to the utilities. The utilities can signal a meter for information and it will send data back. But the meters aren’t without controversy. During a recent House committee hearing, some lawmakers raised concerns that the wireless communications that smart meters use pose a health risk State regulators say those concerns are not conclusive.

Environment

Computer can predict which way smoke goes

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By NYLA HUGHES
Capital News Service
LASNING — A team of researchers has developed a way to predict which way smoke will drift away from low-intensity forest fires. Researchers at Michigan State University and the U.S Forest Service developed the system to help fire managers control prescribed fires. These fires are used to manage vegetation and fuel, said Warren Heilman, a research meteorologist for the Forest Service based in East Lansing. “If there is a lot of flammable vegetation on the ground, the surface can catch on fire from lightning,” said Heilman. “This increases the chance of a wildfire.