I think it is more likely that the billing cycle of the new meters is causing the price discrepancy. That is, some people are seeing 6-weeks of billing in a single bill, others are seeing 2-weeks.

I just read today, that there is concern that they are subject to hacking.

V

Bill Wattenburg, a radio talk show host and scientist at Lawrence Livermore has something to say about the subject. Notice he's right (alot) of center.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Wattenburg on Smart Meters

So called 'smart meters' are going to be used to create demand billing.

The meters can easily record not just the power consumed but also the peak power and time.
They can even maintain an almost second by second reading of power being used.

Look for rates to be higher during periods of 'peak demand.'