Power Companies Ordered Not To Bill Customers During Outages
The Maryland Public Service Commission today eliminated the storm bill stabilization 24-hour grace period.
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Effectively immediately, Pepco and BGE customers will not be charged for sales lost during the first 24 hours of major storm power outages, by order of the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Area residents this summer were outraged to find themselves charged for power during the weeklong outages caused by the June 29 derecho. The charges came as part of a Bill Stabilization Adjustment program, which allowed utilities to bill customers for the first 24 hours after a power outage, effectively charging customers for power when they have none.
The program was designed to increase efficiency, according to the commission. Friday's orders, affecting Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Delmarva Power and Light Company, Potomac Electric Power Company and the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, removes the “burden” of paying for power lost during major storms, according to a commission news release.
Bill stabilization policies were revised in January 2012 to exclude charging customers for most storm-related outages, according to the commission. Today's order precludes the power companies from charging for all sales lost after major outage events, including the first 24 hours.
“The commission based its decision on the very real financial and quality-of-life hardships customers already face during major outage events, such as spoiled food; lost business and employment income; hotel, meal and medical-related expenses; and costs for generators and fuel, home repairs and pet care,” the release stated.
The commission also stated that the BSA policy was an ineffective financial incentive for power companies to produce reliable energy, and that it was demoralizing for customers.
Today’s order comes amid furious preparation for Hurricane Sandy, which has already killed more than 20 people in Jamaica and Haiti, causing Gov. Martin O’Malley to declare a state of emergency Friday morning.
Jerry
6:17 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Like duh... if your electric meter is perfectly still because your power is out, how can it rack up billable hours?
MaryJane
9:21 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
PEPCO will ALWAYS find a way to bill.
"From 2008 to 2010, Pepco CEO Joe Rigby earned $8.8 million and Pepco top officers earned more than $22 million. During that same period, Pepco reported $882 million in profits, paid no federal and state income taxes and received $817 million in tax refunds."
Theresa Defino
11:49 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Also b/c Pepco does budget billing for most of us, which isn't adjusted by single day changes.
Danna Walker
6:28 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
The utility companies were able to charge a penalty fee for loss of power usage by customers. In other words, they were compensated when the power was out. Most residents were opposed to that.
MaryJane
8:49 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Be ready for your Smartmeter to have issues. In the past storms have impacted these poorly designed meters in many ways. Hopefully there will not be powersurges and your Smartmeter will not start a fire as several have recently. "After at least two fires and over a dozen incidents of overheating, PECO is halting its controversial smart meter installation program."
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/19289039/peco-halts-smart-meter-installation-program
MaryJane
8:53 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
In January the County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors directed its public health officer to give an analysis of the research on Smartmeters.
Here is the report.
It might be good candelight reading during the storm. More shocking than the storm for those of you who don't know what I am talking about.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/99701545/Santa-Cruz-Health-Services-Health-Risks-Associated-with-SmartMeters
Steven Maxwell
9:00 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Overbilling is what I would worry about. Unlike analog meters, once your digital meter has an issue, its hard to get the data back and you have little recourse with PEPCO. Overbilling Smartmeter issues all over America.
After 24 hours you have no idea what that crazy dumb "Smartmeter" meter might do.
http://marylandsmartmeterawareness.org/smart-meter-news/florida-action-9-investigates-smart-meter-rates/
Thanks for that link Mary Jane.
MaryJane
9:12 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Anyone reading this who does not know what a Smartmeter is.. please look it up and educate yourself. You have a choice right now and your voice needs to be heard. This effects all of us and will so long after the hurricaine leaves. If this Storm is scaring you, then be prepared to read about an issue much worse.
The Smartmeter on your home.
Google it.
They have caused fires, they emit a Class 2 B Carcinogen and they are not "Green" or "Smart" in any way. (as much as the power companies want o you to think they are.
Marianne Thrift
1:41 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
And I'm sure that as soon as the day arrives that the storm is "SUPPOSED" to hit, my little corner of RIverdale Park will ONCE AGAIN be without power for hours, for absolutely no known reason. While my mayor did assign someone to look into this phenomenon, it still will happen. Does any other neighborhood experience unexplained power outages?
Cynthia McGucken Meyer
2:17 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thank You!
Al Carr
4:15 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Members of the General Assembly have been pushing for this change for a while now. I am glad that the PSC has finally seen the light. http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/hb1278.htm