Locals upset over Smart Meters support Senate Bill 9
John Aswell is a longtime customer of Delmarva Power. For more than 40 years, he has had an analog meter tracking how much electricity he uses. However now, he’s crying foul.
Aswell says, “The power company forced me into a membership. I opted out of the smart meter deal three months before they started installing them. They came here while I was at work and installed one anyways.”
Delmarva Power does admit that some smart meters were installed without customers knowing.
According to Delmarva Power, smart meters are a digital monitoring device that apparently provides more detailed information about energy use; along with a list of other benefits, like lower bills and remote outage detection.
However on the smart meter, Aswell along with dozens of other irate customers say their monthly bills have gone up considerably.
Former Ocean City councilman, Vincent Gisriel, is now the voice for a number of residents who say they have issues with the meters since their installation.
Vincent Gisriel goes on, “People have gotten bills that were double or triple upon the installation of the meter. There are reportedly adverse health issues facing people. They may have interference with the radio air waves that come to the meter.”
That’s where Senate Bill 9 comes in. It’s being discussed by the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday.
This proposed legislation could potentially allow power customers to opt out of having the smart meters, without having to pay fees.
The bill would require the electric company to notify individuals before installing the devices. The bill will also require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to look into potential health hazards.
However, this is not the first time this proposed legislation went before law makers. Last year, it was voted down. Now, folks on the Eastern shore are putting the pressure on Senator Jim Mathias who did not support the bill, at the time.
Senator Mathias goes on, “I’m paying strict attention to what’s going on here. I’ll be listening very intently to the bill on Tuesday.”
Senator Mathias is on the Senate Finance Committee and says it will take at least six of the eleven committee members to pass the bill.
In the meantime, folks like Aswell, who reportedly demanded Delmarva Power return his analog meter, have to pay an additional $17 a month. In addition to that, there’s still $75 to opt out of the smart meter.
47 ABC reached out to Delmarva Power regarding those fees for individuals who want their analog meters.
A spokesperson representing Delmarva Power says they stand by those additional charges, particularly because the Maryland Public Service Commission determined it’s an extra cost for utilities to send personnel out to read and maintain meters.
