In another industry transition to digital technology, BGE will soon phase in new equipment to replace its home and business electric and gas meters.
Starting in late April, in Pasadena, BGE will begin switching from analog to digital technology to operate its gas and electric system with the installation of smart meters. It will take three years to complete the project.
Pasadena was chosen as a central location in the county to start, according to BGE.
In total, 1.3 million analog electric meters will be replaced with digital ones, and 700,000 gas meters will be upgraded by the end of 2014.
Once installed and operating as expected, there won't be a need for meter readers. According to BGE's website, those employees will be retrained for other jobs.
BGE's investment in smart grid technology will cost customers in the future.
The Department of Energy provided a $200 million grant to offset the $482 million total cost of the program, leaving $282,000 not covered by the grant. Customers can expect a rate increase in 2015.
“The rate increase will happen in a few years after we’ve implemented the functions and features [of the smart meter]," said Rhea Lewis, BGE manager of corporate communications.
Lewis couldn't provide an estimated rate percentage increase but said that the amount customers will save in energy costs over time with smart meters will more than cover the meter-related surcharge.
"While BGE will seek to recover additional program costs through rate changes that customers will see on their bills, we believe that customers can expect their savings will be significantly greater than any potential costs," Lewis wrote in an email to Patch.
"Customer savings will come from reduced energy and operating costs as well as the new programs BGE will introduce for customers to help them manage energy use and bills."
Lewis explained that BGE would have to go before the Public Service Commission (PSC), to show that the benefits to smart meters outweigh any potential cost increase to customers. She added that the commission will then make a decision.
A letter describing the switch to meters was sent to customers in March.
There is not an opt-out program now, but Lewis said BGE may consider one. In the meantime, she said, the scheduled installations will begin at the end of the month in Pasadena and will continue as planned.
A public hearing on the opt-out program is scheduled for May 22 at the PSC located at 6 St. Paul St. in Baltimore, according to Lewis. The PSC's website also mentions that there will be a discussion on establishing a surcharge to recover costs at the meeting.
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The article you are referring presented a number of concerns in the analysis, irrespective of the conclusion. Which may or may not have been biased because of the circumstances of the author. We do not live in a free world as we have been mislead to believe, and at times we need to read in between the lines. Those that look for an easy answers are advised to go directly to www.bge.com and search for "Smart Meters" Those that seek independently to get their own mind to be congruent with their actions can click here. Electromagnetic fields: High-level microwave technology concerns https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3ABCMXdUxMAeEdfQXc1U3l6dWM or here Wireless Tower Antennas, Routers and Smart Meter Safety http://www.stayonthetruth.com/open-letter-to-all-ten-canadian-provinces.php
You do not post scientific evidence. You post anecdotes, falsehoods, misinformation and propaganda. Yes, it is propaganda. It is written to provoke fear, not intelligent discussion. I have asked you many times, and ask again, please post evidence that the Karolinska Institute declared a "GLOBAL HEALTH WARNING." I will continue to nag you about this until you post evidence or retract the statement. And Olle Johansson, voted Misleader of the Year 2004 by the Swedish Skeptics Society, does not speak for Karolinska. He is not listed among the professors: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=364&dispd=1833&l=en Meanwhile, Karolinska Professor Maria Feychting, has her research posted right on ki.se. "The incidence of glioma - the most common form of brain tumour - is not increasing in the Nordic countries, contradicting the claim that mobile phone use is a cause of the disease." http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=130&a=136019&l=en&newsdep=130 Once again, provide evidence that Karolinska has issued a "GLOBAL HEALTH WARNING"
Or perhaps professional fear mongerer? He is president of committee to bridge the gap, another group seeking donations in return for generating fear. Pretty much like electrosmogprevention.
AND HIGHER FREQUENCIES (FROM STUCHLY~ 1978). 29. Headaches Eyestrain Fatigue Dizziness Disturbed sleep at night Sleepiness in daytime Moodiness Irritability Unsociability Hypochondriac reactions Feelings of fear Nervous tension Mental depression Memory impairment Pulling sensation in the scalp and brow Loss of hair Pain in muscles and heart region Breathing difficulties Increased perspiration of extremities Difficulty with sex life TABLE 11. SUBJECTIVE EFFECTS ON PERSONS WORKING IN RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (FROM DWYER, 1978). Symptomatology Bradycardia Disruption of the endocrine-humoral process Hypotension Intensification of the activity of thyroid gland Exhausting influences on the central nervous system Decrease in sensitivity to smell Increase in histamine content of the blood Subjective Complaints Increased fatigability Periodic or constant headaches Extreme irritability Sleepiness during work http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19810017132_1981017132.pdf
------------ On the Blog Post SDG&E Files Opt-Out Proposal for Its Problem-Ridden Smart Meters http://lamesa.patch.com/blog_posts/sdge-files-opt-out-proposal-for-its-problem-ridden-smart-meters --------------------------------------- Susan Brinchman 10:39 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011 I have a direct, very pertinent question for Malaprop. Are you now, or have you ever been contracted by or under the employment of SDG&E, any utility company, or any of their agents? yes or no? Ignoring this question will be considered a yes. ------------------------------- Malaprop 1:58 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011 No nor have I ever been. Nor have I worked for any smart meter or wireless business nor agent. I despise fraud. ------------------------ THEN...he admits it. ----------------------- Malaprop 11:10 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011 I have a correction to make. The parent corporation of a former employer manufactures wireless equipment. They are international, very, very large and probably sell something to utility companies. I left that company over twenty years ago and receive no payment from them. I developed theoretical models for data transmission using wired technology and factory automation before leaving the company. I have not worked in that field since. -----click his name view the posts
BTW, that statement would be true if I worked for Wal Mart 20 years ago.
http://thepowerfilm.org/smartmetervideos/external-videos/taking-action/ Select the issue you want to learn about from the List On the Right side panel.
http://thepowerfilm.org/smartmetervideos/external-videos/videos-health-issues/
See Stop Smart Meters dot com for info on health and other problems. Also See the first couple of pages in this doc. prepared for WI legislators about what is wrong with smart meters, including health-wise. IT includes some links, etc. http://stopsmartmeterswisconsin.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/give-wisconsin-legislators-this-packet-for-legislative-action/
We the "ratepayers" get stuck with antique technology before it even gets rolled out by BGE and Pepco Folks read the highlights below. This is from the horse's Mouth, that you can quote in your posts and expositions, and can not be blasted for being a "smart meter Kook"! And remember, all I wanted to do was to turn a light bulb on at night so I can see! Why does it have to be so complicated?? " http://www.grid-net.com/smarter-grid "Mesh-based metering systems promise the barely adequate delivery of six-hour-old data to the utility and day-old data to their consumers. Furthermore, today’s Advanced Metering (AMI) and Demand Response (DR) applications are typically proprietary and stand-alone implementations, which makes them costly to integrate into the back office and even more difficult to coordinate in the field. Security is almost always an afterthought. Needless to say, this approach is ill-prepared and insufficient for the demands of an always-on smarter grid."
http://groups.google.com/group/mobilfunk_newsletter/browse_thread/thread/4ef4344fc72d7f84 http://www.buergerwelle.de:8080/helma/twoday/bwnews/stories/4052/
Yet she refuses. Instead, she prefers to hurl unsubstantiated accusations of secret payments about those who oppose her. And she does this in spite of her association with an anti-wireless website that promotes EMF protection gear and solicits donations. Now who really stands to gain financially from their activity on this discussion? We get no answers from Susan, only unfounded accusations and advertisement for a website which capitalizes on the fear she generates.
"July 4, 2012. Are there non-thermal effects of electromagnetic fields? Health Canada says, “NO“. They state on page 9 of Safety Code 6, For frequencies from 100 kHz to 300 GHz, tissue heating is the predominant health effect to be avoided. Other proposed non-thermal effects have not been conclusively documented to occur at levels below the threshold where thermal effects arise. Really! Perhaps Health Canada scientists should read this two part document prepared by the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS). Although this document was published in 2010, one year after the most recent Health Canada Safety Code 6 was updated (2009), much of the information it was based on was readily available to the review committee of Health Canada when they released their 2009 guideline." http://www.magdahavas.com/icems-non-thermal-effects-of-electromagnetic-fields-now-available-for-free-download/
"Public health statistics have been called human beings with the tears removed. Hear the sagas of cellphone survivors and nonsurvivors and their families who are convinced that heavy cellphone use caused disabling brain tumors." http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6025/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1210160 http://prd34.blogspot.com/2012/07/cellphone-survivors-non-survivors-watch.html
"A presentation by Prof. Massa showed ample articles from the renowned Lancet asserting the incidence of leukaemia in children associated with electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones, and especially mobile masts, with the latter having a higher concentration of energy. One gentleman raised his concern over a group of children suffering from leukaemia in Marsascala, his child having had the disease having to take a lot of time off school. One of the other children died. Is there any evidence? Only observational. But it is definitely time to map out the distribution of mobile masts superimposed on a map of the residence of children with leukaemia – especially clusters. If there is a correlation, no amount of ‘lack of evidence’ can rule out the association." http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=145141 QUESTION? Do Smart Meters operate just like a mobile masts? (Cell Phone Towers, attached to your house?) Is the concept of automated meter reading worth taking the risk?
"SPECIAL REPORT / The European Commission has asked member states to present before September their cost-benefit analyses on the deployment of smart meters that could lead to 80% of consumers being equipped with intelligent metering systems by 2020. But a recent study casts doubts over their cost-effectiveness and the benefits they bring to consumers. Smart meters record energy or water consumption, sending the readings back to the power or water suppliers for monitoring and billing. A cost-benefit analysis currently deployed in member states will be finalised by 3 September 2012. In a recommendation paper, the European Commission says it is yet to be convinced that smarts meters are “economically justified”. The EU executive's doubts are being raised despite an increased acceptance of smart meters across European countries. In Italy and Sweden, smart meters cover almost 100% of households. However, a recently published study of the Free University in Brussels (ULB) commissed by the European Consumers Organisation BEUC, found that consumers are not the main beneficiaries of this technology, calling current efforts “a missed opportunity” for end-users. “Smart meters might be beneficial to some consumers, but we certainly have doubts about whether they will be beneficial to all consumers,” Johannes Kleis of BEUC told EurActiv." http://prd34.blogspot.com/2012/07/doubts-cast-over-consumer-benefits-of.html
The Maryland Public Service Commission, on 5/24/12, ORDERED a DEFERRAL of installation of Smart Meters on your home or business. In order to defer installation, send this NOW: Date: Sent by Certified Mail Baltimore Gas & Electric Attention: SMART GRID DEFERRAL P. O. Box 1475 Baltimore, MD 21203 NOTICE OF DEFERRAL OF INSTALLATION OF SMART METERS PER PSC’S ORDER NO. 84926 DATED MAY 24, 2012 I am hereby notifying Baltimore Gas & Electric Company and its agents (including but not limited to Grid One Solutions, Inc.) that you are NOT to install a Smart Meter anywhere on my property pursuant to Order No. 84926 issued by the Maryland Public Service Commission on May 24, 2012. Sincerely, __________________ Printed name: [insert address] cc: David Collins, Executive Secretary William Donald Schaefer Tower 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202-6808
Maryland residents that filed their opt-out with the Utility, but ended up getting a smart meter installed, contact Obi Linton "olinton@psc.state.md.us" at the PSC because it is a violation of Order #84926. And the PSC wants all order violations reported.
How about spending the money to bury the power lines at greatest risk of damage by falling trees. After 5 days without power from the recent storm, I think this is a better investment.
William Donald Schaefer Tower 6 St. Paul St., 16th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 767-8000 MD Toll Free: 1-800-492-0474 Directions to the Commission http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/AboutUs/directions_new.cfm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48949032/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_pa_nj/t/puc-calls-meeting-peco-smart-meter-vendors/ Visit www.marylandsmartmeterawareness.org for more information and if you have had ANY power surges or other electricity issues since receiving a smart meter, please contact us immediately.