On February 26, 2014, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) made a decision on smart meter opt out and related costs for customers who do not want a smart meter. If you choose to have a smart meter installed, or keep the smart meter that is already installed, these fees will not apply to you.
Customers who opt out of having a smart meter installed will be charged a one-time fee of $75, which will be billed in three equal monthly installments, and an additional monthly fee of $5.50. Customers may opt out online.
Customers can also call BGE at 1-800-685-0123, or send a letter to: Smart Meter Opt Out BGE, P.O. Box 1475, Baltimore, MD 21203 and include the following information:
Customers who contacted BGE before the February 26, 2014 PSC order asking to defer their smart meter installation must let us know if they have reconsidered. If we do not hear from these customers, the PSC order provides that we assume these customers will continue as opt-outs and incur the related costs.
BGE will notify in writing those customers who had previously deferred a smart meter installation. That communication will specifically reference the customer’s right to retain their legacy meter, the fee structure that will apply should they continue to exercise their choice to opt out, and when they can expect to see such one-time and monthly fees applied to their bills.
It is BGE policy that the account holder (the person who receives the BGE bill) is the person who can make changes or requests regarding an electric or gas account. In the case of smart meters, the account holder or an authorized person can make an appointment to have a smart meter installed --- appointments are needed if at least one meter is located indoors. If your landlord is the BGE account holder, the landlord should schedule the appointment. If both the electric and gas meters at the property are located outdoors, no appointment is necessary and BGE will upgrade the meters when next in your neighborhood.
Yes, there will be a brief interruption (a couple of minutes in most cases) of service while the new electric meter is being installed. You may need to reset some of your clocks and other electrical appliances when service is restored. For gas meters, there will be no interruption of service if installers are upgrading your existing meter (most cases). For older gas meters that need to be replaced, there will be an approximately 30 minute service interruption. Installers will relight your pilots after installation when installation is complete. Before interrupting service, installers will also knock on the door of all customers. If you have an indoor meter, or any special needs, you will receive a phone reminder 24 hours before the installers arrive. If you have a medical condition or other special needs, you should register for BGE’s Special Needs Program. You will receive additional notification of when your service will be interrupted. To enroll in the Special Needs Program, contact the BGE Customer Relations Call Center at 1-800-685-0123.
The new electric meter will begin at zero. Installers will record the reading on your old meter before replacing it with the smart meter so that you are billed accurately.
Grid One Solutions and Corix Utilities, the contractors hired to install smart meters, are experienced in installing smart meters. We do not expect damage to any household electrical items during smart meter installation.
Yes, the new meters are compatible with net metering.
No, there will be no change, we will continue to provide your usage information to the energy supplier you selected as you have authorized us to do.
Customers with solar panels will receive their smart meters at the same time as all other customers in their neighborhoods, consistent with the deployment schedule available on BGE.com.
It is BGE policy that only the account holder can make changes or requests regarding an electric or gas account. In the case of smart meters, the account holder will need to send us a request to defer meter installation.
BGE has partnered with Grid One Solutions and Corix Utilities to install smart meters. When you receive your postcard notifying you that a smart meter will soon be installed at your home, please contact the Grid One or Corix Utilities call customer call center at the number provided on your postcard to schedule an appointment.
What is a smart meter? What is the benefit of a smart meter?
A smart meter is a digital meter that allows two-way communication between your home and BGE via a wireless network. Customers with smart meters have access to information and tools to help manage energy use, leading to lower bills.
Can I opt out, or choose not to have a meter installed?
Customers who opt out of having a smart meter installed will be charged a one-time fee of $75, which will be billed in three equal monthly installments, and an additional monthly fee of $5.50.
Customers can call BGE at 1- 855-470-8800
Is the appearance of my smart meter different than my old meter?
While very similar to the existing electric meters, there is one big difference in the appearance of the new smart electric meter: an easy-to-read digital display instead of the spinning wheel or dial that many customers have today. For most customers, this will be the only obvious difference between the appearance of the old and the new meter. In most cases, we are not replacing your entire gas meter. We are replacing, or upgrading, one component of the gas meter that will allow two-way communication with BGE. For all BGE customers, the features and benefits that the new meter will bring are far more advanced.
Who manufactures smart meters?
The smart meters BGE will installed are made by two companies, GE (General Electric) and Landis and Gyr. BGE is also working with a company called Silver Spring Networks that provides the smart grid platform and related software and services.
I rent my home, should I contact my landlord about installing a smart meter?
It is BGE policy that the account holder (the person who receives the BGE bill) is the person who can make changes or requests regarding an electric or gas account. In the case of smart meters, the account holder or an authorized person can make an appointment to have a smart meter installed --- appointments are needed if at least one meter is located indoors. If your landlord is the BGE account holder, the landlord should schedule the appointment. If both the electric and gas meters at the property are located outdoors, no appointment is necessary and BGE will upgrade the meters when next in your neighborhood.
What is the difference between my old meter and the smart meter?
Initially, your new smart meter will perform exactly the way your old meter did. BGE will use it to determine how much energy you have used at the end of each billing period. As more smart meters are installed and enhanced technologies are put into place, many new features will be available to you for use with BGE energy management tools, such as ongoing usage tracking and bill forecasting. These new features will be phased in gradually through 2014; many will be available beginning in late 2012. BGE will let you know when you can start accessing these features and how to use them.
Do both electric and gas meters have two way capability?
Yes, but the gas and electric meters do not function in exactly the same way. Electric meters will receive a signal every four hours that prompt the meters to provide usage data. Gas meters send usage updates to BGE once every 24 hours. Both types of meters can receive programming updates from BGE.
What if I told BGE I wanted to opt out, but now I changed my mind and want a smart meter?
If you previously told BGE that you did not want a smart meter, but you have changed your mind, you can let us know any time. Please call BGE at 855.470.8800 to schedule a convenient appointment to have a smart meter installed.
I want a smart meter, I just haven’t had a chance to make an appointment. Will I be charged opt-out fees?
We want to make sure all customers who want a smart meter can have one installed. We can schedule you for a convenient appointment, please call BGE at 1- 855-470-8800 today. BGE will only enroll customers into our opt-out program, and charge the related fees, if they have not responded to multiple requests. BGE will give customers 30 days’ notice before we start adding opt-out fees to their bills.
I have an appointment to have a smart meter installed, but it is not for a few weeks. Will I be charged opt-out fees until my meter is installed?
I already have a smart meter, why I am still receiving letters and phone calls from BGE asking that I schedule an appointment?
Customers can call BGE at 1- 800-685-0123
What if I opt out of my current residence and then move to another home. Do I have to pay the initial opt out fee twice?
Customers who do not want a smart meter will only pay the initial $75 fee once. If they move and do not want a smart meter at their new residence, they will have to inform BGE of their new information. They will continue to pay the monthly opt out fee of $5.50.
As BGE transitions to smart meter technology, customers will need a smart meter in order to participate in the Time of Use (TOU) rate program. For customers currently on TOU who wish to opt out of smart meters, you will be transitioned to standard rates.
If you decide to opt-out, the charges should appear on the bill for your next billing cycle. You will receive a letter from BGE confirming that you have opted out and that you will start seeing the charges. Opt-out fees are an initial one-time charge of $75, paid in three monthly installments of $25, and an additional monthly recurring fee of $5.50. The fees will be a total of $30.50 each month for the first three months, and $5.50 each month beginning on the fourth month. The opt-out fees will be itemized on your bill. If you change your mind after opting out and decide you would like to have a smart meter installed, please call BGE at 855.470.8800. If you receive your first bill with opt-out charges, and you contact us to arrange for your smart meter installation before the end of your next billing cycle (30 days from the “billing date” in the summary section of your bill), we will credit the opt-out fees back to you. After this period, the opt-out fees will not be refundable.
If I opt out of having the electric meter upgrade, does that mean I can’t upgrade my gas meter?
If you inform BGE that you want to opt out, according to the PSC order, you will be opting out of both the electric and gas meter upgrades. The opt-out fee of $75 initially and $5.50 a month will cover both meters, you will not pay a fee for opting out of each meter separately.
What if I already have a smart meter and don’t want it?
Customers who already have a smart meter still have the option to opt out. Please contact BGE with your request to remove your smart meter. BGE will exchange your meter for a meter that is equipped with an Electronic Receiver Transmitter (ERT) device. Please allow some time for this meter exchange as we work to meet the needs of all our customers.
In compliance with Maryland Public Service Commission Order No. 86200, BGE will install a pre-Smart Grid standard meter, first installed in 1996 and known as an Electronic Receiver Transmitter (ERT) meter. Other legacy, non-ERT meters are not supported by BGE and require replacement with an ERT meter. Opt-out fees continue to apply to all non-smart meters, including ERT meters.
The ERT meter does not require physical access to be read, but enables accurate and timely readings and reduces the potential for estimated bills that can result from meters that are inaccessible. The ERT meter does not have the capabilities to enable participation in smart meter enabled programs that provide customers with energy use reports, rebates for conserving energy on high usage days, or time-of-use (TOU) rates.
The ERT meter is not connected to the BGE Smart Grid Network. All ERTs transmit data using radio frequency (RF). RF exposure is a function of transmitter power (wattage), duty cycle (RF transmit duration), transmit frequency, and distance from RF source. ERTs transmit encoded data proactively so they can be read by passing meter readers or reactively when signaled by a passing reader.
In 2011, the Maryland Public Service Commission convened a hearing to consider, among other things, the health effects of smart meters, and concluded that it did not find convincing evidence that smart meters pose any health risks to the public at large. As the RF exposure from any ERT on BGE’s system is at least 75 percent less than the RF exposure from a smart meter, the use of ERTs would similarly not pose any health risks.
The RF “power” of the BGE smart electric meter is 1 Watt while the “power” of an ERT for electric is ¼ Watt. This is the power at the meter. The RF exposure will decrease significantly as you move away from the meter and/or if, the RF signals encounter physical barriers such as building materials or foliage. The RF exposure from smart meters and ERTs is less than the RF exposure from many commonly used items such as handheld cell phones, cordless phones, remote control toys and nursery monitors.
Just like smart meters or any device using RF technology, the ERT radio devices must be certified to the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. The RF intensity of smart meters while transmitting is below 1percent of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limit. Again, given the difference in the RF power, the RF intensity of an ERT would be below 0.25 percent of the FCC MPE limit.
Meters are the property of BGE, which must have access to inspect and maintain under the terms of the company’s service tariffs approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Appointments to install an ERT meter can be made by calling BGE at 410.470.6633.
