Effective after the first full billing cycle after 1 July 2014, the fee will come as a one-time, up-front fee payable in three monthly installments along with monthly fees, and is claimed to be lower than those proposed by the utilities.
The upfront fee is $75, while the monthly fees is $11 for Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)customers, $14 for Pepco customers, while Delmarva Power and Light Company and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative customers, each will pay $17.
The PSC has directed the utilities to communicate with the customers who previously elected to decline installation of a smart meter, within 60 days of the order.
The customers will be assume as opt-out customers and will be subject to the opt-out fees, if they fail to take any action within the specified period.
In addition, the customers who are not scheduled to receive a smart meter until after 1 July may opt out immediately or after receiving notice from their utility of the installation schedule, and will not be charged opt-out fees until the first full billing cycle after the meters have been installed in their community.
