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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The safety of NV Energy's new 'smart meters' is being called into question and after hearing testimony, the Public Utilities Commission is launching an investigation.

"We feel that this is an experiment," says Angel DeFazio, who is one of 1400 people in Southern Nevada to postpone installation of the smart meters.

She's not convinced the radiation being emitted is safe.

"There's enough brain dead people walking around. We don't need Nevada Energy's help on this," says DeFazio. "Our concern is there have not been long term studies and when I say long term, I'm talking five to ten years."

At a meeting Tuesday, citizens also expressed concerns about privacy and just how much information the meters are collecting.

"There is a lot of bad information out there on the internet," says Gary Smith, NV Energy's director of the smart meter program. "A lot of it isn't true."

Smith claims the radiation is no different from that emitted from your cell phone or other wireless devices.

" I have three kids and they play the Wii. It's very very similar technology," says Smith.

So far, 500 thousand of the smart meters have been installed in homes across the valley and every home is set to get one by December, 2012.

"I don't see a danger," says Smith. "I think what we've found is these meters are helping our customers save money by taking control of their energy use."

NV Energy stands by their smart meters and welcomes the Public Utilities Commission taking a closer look.

One option is allowing customers to opt out of the smart meter program completely, something already offered in many other cities and states.