Baltimore Gas and Electric officials are warning customers who have not responded to requests to install electronic smart meters at their homes that they will be charged a fee if they do not make an appointment.
While many customers don't need to make the appointments because their meters are accessible outside, some have meters located inside of the home or blocked by a gate. BGE says it will charge customers after making 15 attempts to make an appointment without a response.
BGE has been upgrading analog meters with smart meters, which transmit data wirelessly, since 2012. Some customers have expressed fears that the meters could intrude on their privacy or affect their health, accusations utility companies deny.
About 20,000 Marylanders had informed BGE that they would opt out of the upgrade as of August. Customers who opt out will pay an extra monthly charge of $11 and a one-time fee of $75. BGE says it needs the fee to cover its cost of maintaining two systems.
BGE said the Maryland Public Service Commission ruled in November that it could consider customers who haven't made appointments to get their meters upgraded to have "opted out" and could charge them the same fees.
Customers who do not yet have a smart meter should call BGE at 855-470-8800 to schedule an appointment. BGE said it will waive the opt-out fees for customers who schedule a smart meter appointment within 30 days of receiving their first bill with these fees.
twitter.com/cwellssun