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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Smart Meter - JUST SAY NO!

As you know, I have introduced the Smart Meters No Cost Opt-out bill the past two sessions. This year, the bill was referred to summer study in the Economic Matters Committee, where it may be examined further, studied, and used as a framework for codifying into law what the opt-out provision would look like.

I will continue to fight for a no cost opt-out. If a customer does not want to have a Smart Meter installed, there should be no cost to him for refusal of installation. At this time, there are no fees set for an opt-out. For your convenience, you may click on the following link to fill out the application to opt-out of a Smart Meter installation: Maryland Smart Meter Awareness

The Smart Meter, a replacement for your analog meter, transmits usage information through Wi-Fi to the utility company. The lack of privacy that the Smart Meter allows is an invasion of our right to privacy. The only one to benefit from the installation of a Smart Meter is the utility company, not the customer.

Smart Meters have also been linked to health issues and to home fires in other states. This is a safety issue which all consumers should be made aware of, and one in which they should have the choice to opt-out of having one installed.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) met last week to consider the Smart Meter Opt-out option. The result of the meeting was that the PSC tasked its staff to study the information that has been submitted thus far, and to make a recommendation to the PSC as to what course of action it should take. The recommendation may come as early as Labor Day.

It is my privilege to serve you as a legislator in the Maryland House of Delegates. If you should have any further question or comment on this issue, I welcome them.

Sincerely,
Glenn Glass

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

If the electric co. gestapo decides you are using too much,they will push a button and cut your power.

Anonymous said...

"Smart" meters are designed to interact with other new appliances to create usage pattern data. The numbers will be run to help power companies charge as much as possible under variable rate schemes.

I bet anyone a dollar that Michael Day eventually goes on record as being for smart meters. His real job is to promote UN Agenda 21.

Anonymous said...

thanks for posting story. I've been following this for a long time. just say NO to smart meters.

Anonymous said...

If your going to opt out and force a reader to come to your house, then you should have to pay for the added expense. I have no problem with opting out but if your going to increase overhead then it is only right you pay for it.

Anonymous said...

I got a smart meter in July and it helped me understand where I used the most energy and how to work around hours of usage, cutting my bill in half. I now use 58% less energy than a so-called energy efficient house. It's cool to see your Electric usage!

Anonymous said...

2:33
I call B.S. on you!

Anonymous said...

What power companies around here are pushing them? I have Delmarva Power & have not heard anything about having to get one.

Anonymous said...

"If your (sic) going to opt out and force a reader to come to your house, then you should have to pay for the added expense."
I'm paying for it now and have had no complaints from DP&L.
If you want a smart/wifi meter, I think you should have to pay the added expense of the unit itself and the technical/accounting infrastructure to support you thinking how neato/cool it is to get a congratulatory e-mail.

Anonymous said...

5:49
Delmarva power is one of many owed by Pepco. I have gotten mail from Delmarva power advertising for the smart meter. Across the bridge they are in talks about installing them in peoples home. Once they are done there you can be sure it will start being mandatory here.

Anonymous said...

at some point Obama is going to force us to get these. we must push back !!!

Anonymous said...

Choptank Electric does not have smart meters and I haven't heard anything about anyone getting them.

Anonymous said...

no added expense for a reader to drive by your house for a reading. they are already doing that, no added expense.

Anonymous said...

2:33 - the information is currently only available to the power company...that's what they told me when I asked them.

How did you get them to provide the reports? The info would be a great help to the consumer to reduce / reorganize their usage patterns to take advantage of the variable billing rates.

Orrrrr, BS on you!