FirstEnergy’s effort to install smart meters is getting some pushback from homeowners over fees
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) — There’s an ongoing effort to install smart meters throughout FirstEnergy service areas, including in Toledo. And it could come at a price and some customers are upset by the change.
FirstEnergy said the goal with the new smart meters is to modernize the electric distribution system.
The company said that it will enable automated meter readings and may enhance its ability to respond to outages faster and more efficiently.
Though some say it’s an avenue for customers to pay more fees.
“The public needs to know about this,” Richard Fry, a homeowner, said.
Fry is a FirstEnergy customer and said his current meter was placed there not too long ago.
“It’s a new meter, it could be two or three years old,” he said.
Fry said he received a letter and brochure from FirstEnergy, notifying him about the shift to smart meters and giving customers an option to opt out.
“It just says right here that if you don’t want a smart meter, please call and ask some questions about it, so I did,” Fry said.
But what’s not in the letter has Fry upset after he received a call back from FirstEnergy.
“And some lady saying so well I hear you want to opt out, I’m like well yeah don’t waste your money you put a new one in already,” He said. “Well, the PUCO says we have a right to charge you $30 a month to have someone come out to read your meter it doesn’t say that.”
According to FirstEnergy, customers can decline the smart meter.
If they choose to opt for a meter that must be read manually, there will be a monthly meter reading charge of $28.29, which was approved by the PUCO.
“Be honest with us, that’s all the public’s asking for,” Fry said.
FirstEnergy added, smart meters use state-of-the-art technologies that ensure accurate readings while providing customers with information they need to better manage their electricity use.
Fry said he isn’t opposed to the smart meters but wants the ability to make the financial decision without being blindsided.
“30 bucks a month, that’s $360 a year with the economy the way it is.” Fry added, “The public needs to know just be honest with us, be upfront.”
Additionally, FirstEnergy said if the smart meter was already installed, there is an additional one-time upfront meter exchange charge of $41.72 to have the meter removed and replaced with a traditional meter.
The full statement from FirstEnergy is below.
“FirstEnergy’s Ohio electric companies, including Toledo Edison, are continuing to install smart meters throughout their Ohio service territories. This ongoing investment to modernize the electric distribution system will enable automated meter readings and may enhance our ability to respond to outages faster and more efficiently.
Smart meters use state-of-the-art technologies that ensure accurate readings while providing customers with information they need to better manage their electricity use. Data collected from a meter and transmitted wirelessly contains specific, unique identifiers associated with the customer’s meter number and service address. These fields are validated numerous times to ensure accuracy before the data is used for billing. Smart meters must meet rigorous requirements for accuracy, which were developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Toledo Edison will monitor the data transmitted from our smart meters to verify that electricity usage is within expected ranges.
Customers can decline the smart meter. If they choose to opt for a meter that must be read manually, there will be a monthly meter reading charge of $28.29. This charge was approved by the PUCO in Case Number 20-385-EL-ATA. If the smart meter was already installed, there is an additional one-time upfront meter exchange charge of $41.72 to have the meter removed and replaced with a traditional meter.”
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