A reader has a question about this column, which said, "BGE's ambitious 'smart meter' program promises to bring the electrical grid up to the technology standards we expect from bank accounts, cell phones and coffee makers." She asks:

One issue you didn't address in your article the other day is that those so-called "smart meters" won't buy a thing for those of us who took your earlier advice and who are now buying our electricity from another supplier. So, we end up paying BGE for meters we don't want and don't need. We have always been frugal with electricity. That's why we have solar heating and have only turned on the AC about twice in 30-some years. There is a minimum amount of electricity we must use, to run the fans and pumps and whatnot that make this system work. And now, what we do use comes not from them but somebody else. So, we would like to opt out. How much you want to bet that's not an option?

My reply:

You’re right. Opting out will probably not be an option. The only way to make the system work well is to install meters for everybody. But it’s a great investment for society. It’s unclear whether we’ll still be able to buy from WGES in the future. Policymakers are talking about prohibiting all shopping and making everybody buy BGE’s standard product. But in any event 1) The smart meter rebates are supplier neutral. They’ll be passed thru the BGE portion of your bill, which you always pay. You’ll get them no matter who your suppier is. 2) None of this is going to get launched for a year or two. Your WGES contract will probably expire before you get a smart meter.