DTE Proposes $87 Fee to Swap Smart Meter for Traditional Meter
There will also be a monthly charge for meter-readings, the company proposes.
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If you choose to opt out of DTE Energy's smart meter program, it will cost you.
In a report filed this week with the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE Energy outlined its proposal for allowing customers to opt-out of the new meter program that is being implemented in Troy. The proposal involves a one-time $87 fee in addition to monthly $15 fees.
The report follows months of impassioned pleas by energy customers and investigations by both the MPSC and the energy companies.
Why smart meters?
DTE is installing 825,000 smart meters, also known as AMI meters, in southeast Michigan as part of an $83.8 million grant. Smart meters measure and record electricity usage with digital technology instead of the traditional gears and dials. The technology involves the use of radio frequency waves to transmit data to DTE.
In Troy, City Council approved a resolution on July 23 supporting residents' ability to opt out of smart meters. The resolution was introduced by Troy Mayor Janice Daniels and is modeled after a resolution drafted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
DTE has said the new meters are more efficient and allow power outages to be restored faster.
In response to resolutions from Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills and a number of other cities, the MPSC asked the utilities to provide them with information on safety and privacy issues related to the smart meters; the MPSC also asked about the feasibility of an opt-out option.
Opting out
In a report issued this week, DTE provided details on the opt-out program.
"DTE's AMI Opt-Out Program will provide an opportunity for individual residential customers who voluntarily request to participate in the program to have a non-transmitting AMI meter installed at their residential service address instead of the Company’s transmitting AMI meter," the report stated.
"Customers may opt out for any reason and will not be required to communicate the reason to the Company."
The customers will be charged the initial $87 in equipment fee for the alternate meter. The $15 monthly fee will cover the cost of a manual meter reading.
"Customers who elect to participate in the AMI Opt-Out Program should be advised that they are giving up certain benefits attributed to the use of AMI at their service location including increased restoration capability, access to timely metering data and other benefits that promote the efficient operation of the electrical distribution system."
DTE's proposal must be approved by the MPSC.
Read the full report here or in a file attached to this story.
Jeff S.
1:24 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
The $15 fee seems a little high, but you have to expect to pay something when you make a DTE employee make a special trip to your house every month. Meanwhile, the rest of us people who realize that smart meters aren't giving us cancer, headaches, or brain tumors can go on paying the regular rate and be happy knowing that a DTE employee isn't traipsing around our yard every month.
Dale Murrish
6:49 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Sounds like a reasonable solution. The system worked well: DTE responded to the MPSC, who responded to several other cities and to the non-binding resolution that was sharply criticized by some in Troy. The Troy council did some good work giving people more freedom.
Those with health issues caused by the meters can opt out and the rest of us can take advantage of the lower operating costs.
The mayor can add this to the list of good things she has done for the city and its residents. Her critics should be embarrassed for criticizing her on this one. There probably won’t be an apology, though…
Just like there wasn’t one from former Mayor Jeanne Stine after Mayor Daniels explained that the Troy charter is covered under the Michigan Constitution, so swearing an oath to it was unnecessary.
Not to mention ignoring explanations of the term “whimsical” or simple policy disagreements like the transit center. (2 of the 4 items in the recall petition)
http://troy.patch.com/blog_posts/questions-for-matt-binkowski-on-troy-mayoral-recall
Daffy Noodnicks
8:55 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Dale:
She is owed no apology for the recall issues. Her explanation of the oath was ridiculous and doesn't even make logical sense. Calling the transit center a "simple policy disagreement"? Seriously? Do you honestly believe this?
Jeff S.
11:51 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Dale,
The city council's resolution did nothing. The MPSC doesn't give two flips about what some lame-o resolution from the City of Troy says. All it did was waste time. It wasted the city staff's time. It wasted the city council's time. And It wasted the time of the public who had to watch a parade of non-residents complain about the non-existent dangers of smart meters.
Nobody has health issues caused by smart meters. Nobody.
You claim this the resolution was a "good thing" for residents of the city? I beg to differ. All it did was stoke fear in those citizens who have mental illness. I have an elderly relative who thinks that the CIA is watching her. God forbid she tune into the city council meeting and see these bozos from Shelby Township telling them how they're being spied on by the electric company. Oh, but now, Janice and the rest of the council we can prevent the spying by DTE, not to mention the CANCER! All you have to do is pay $180 more a year! What a deal!!
Abbey
9:03 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Wait...don't garage doors and wireless routers and cordless phones also use the same technology? I'm happy to fleece anyone out of their money to provide checks on those items or swap them out for antiquated replacements.
And if those items aren't a health issue to those who think smart meters are...this isn't about health after all, is it?