Across Long Island, eligible PSEG customers that are choosing to opt out of installing a ‘smart meter’ are discovering that the optout is not a no-cost option.
In an original communication with customers, PSEG notified customers that if they do not permit PSEG to install a smart meter by January, then they will be charged an estimated $16.50 per month.
However, recently new letters were sent out giving customers until August to allow PSEG to install a smart meter. PSEG attributes this moved timeline to their “skilled meter installers [who] were able to finish completing the smart meter rollout ahead of schedule.”
Customers have already started to receive the letters informing them of the August date, with those left believing it would be January soon to receive a not so surprise letter.
Helene Giarraputo of Nesconset is one such customer. She was originally given until January of 2023 to either allow the installation of the Smart Meter or begin to pay the $16.50 charge per month. However, based on PSEG’s statement, she will soon have until August before the fee kicks in.
“I think it’s unfair,” said Giarraputo, while also mentioning her friend affected by the matter. Giarraputo contacted Senator Mario Mattera’s (R-St. James) Office to find that many constituents had complained about the smart meters.
Mattera’s office shared three senate bills designed to combat the problem in one way or another, but all three failed to pass the legislature before the end of the legislative session in early June. Now, with no relief from Albany, it looks as though customers who opt-out will have
no choice but to pay.
Failed Legislation:
• S3030 PARKER — Relates to advanced metering infrastructure devices for residential services
• S5510 COMRIE — Restricts the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices by electric,
gas and water-works corporations
• S5578 PARKER — Directs utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart
meters
All three pieces of legislation were brought forward by Democrats in the Democrat-controlled chamber, which usually gives the legislation a fighting chance. However, Senators Kevin Parker (D-Queens) and Leroy Comrie (D-Manhattan) were unable to pass the bills, even with Republican support.
S5578 relates to the concerns that many of those who opt out share, that there might be potentially negative consequences to the smart meter since it emits RF radiation. PSEG maintains that the levels emitted are infrequent and lower than other appliances throughout a
typical household.
Some have also expressed concerns over how the smart meter will interact with technology in their homes.
Outside of the health and other concerns, others have expressed frustration over the possibility of their utility bills increasing at a time of skyrocketing electricity costs by switching to the smart meter.
According to PSEG, the fee for opting out will be used to fund a small contingent of meter readers to continue the task of reading the meters, rendered obsolete in households that have smart meters.
“A fee for manual meter reading is a statewide decision based on best practices from the State Department of Public Service,” reads a PSEG correspondence. “All utilities in the state planning smart meter rollouts will have a meter-reading fee for customers who opt-out.” This is a
developing story, with many of those opting out of the smart meter program vowing to fight back.
