Sun editorial: Smart meters is smart policy
The Sun's editorialists weigh in on the BGE smart-meter decision:
But for all the contentiousness that the smart meter decision evoked in recent weeks, it’s still not clear what effect the PSC’s changes will have. The major sticking point was over how to pay for meters. That will still ultimately be the obligation of ratepayers, but BGE won’t be reimbursed for several years, and only as part of the PSC-supervised rate-setting process.That means that the utility will have to borrow money and rack up a potential $100 million in financing charges. Instead of a monthly charge of 28 cents in the near term, customers may see a much larger tab put on their bills in 2014 or 2015 (perhaps as much as $4, according to one estimate).
Nevertheless, the fee should pale compared to the savings smart meters will bring — at least if BGE’s pilot program is any guide. For all the fuss the issue of cost-recovering generated, it could turn out to be little more than a forgotten footnote in the early development of a smart energy grid.
Comments
Two things concern me about the PSC's decision. First and foremost is the security of the smart meters. They will be targets since they will be connected to a network. Has the PSC even considered this?
Secondly has the PSC mandated that with smart meters consumers will FINALLY be able to sell power back to the grid? That is what we really need for our energy future. We need houses and businesses with generating capacity (e.g. solar/wind) able to put electricity back on the grid and reduce the need to build more power plants.
Posted by: Paul | August 17, 2010 9:17 AM
Jay -
I'm all for saving money on my BGE bill. I signed up for budget billing and PeakRewards and did their energy check. BUT my bill is nearly 2x more than last year and I am a miserly energy user. I've heard over and over that BGE is finding ways to cut my bill but it never actually happens.
I did notice they partnered with the Ravens this year, mayabe that's why my bill is going up to pay for Ray Lewis salary! Doesn't their head guy already have tickets since his wife is a cheerleader or does my BGE bill help pay for their skybox too?
I hate to sound so skeptical but I'm doing all I can to save money and I never see a difference in my BGE bill and think this smart meter thing is just another empty promise.
Maybe I'm missing something, can anyone shed some light????
-Carol,
Essex
Posted by: carol | August 19, 2010 12:17 PM
Jay -
I'm all for saving money on my BGE bill. I signed up for budget billing and PeakRewards and did their energy check. BUT my bill is nearly 2x more than last year and I am a miserly energy user. I've heard over and over that BGE is finding ways to cut my bill but it never actually happens.
I did notice they partnered with the Ravens this year, mayabe that's why my bill is going up to pay for Ray Lewis salary! Doesn't their head guy already have tickets since his wife is a cheerleader or does my BGE bill help pay for their skybox too?
I hate to sound so skeptical but I'm doing all I can to save money and I never see a difference in my BGE bill and think this smart meter thing is just another empty promise.
Maybe I'm missing something, can anyone shed some light????
-Carol,
Essex
Posted by: carol | August 19, 2010 12:21 PM