WASHINGTON – Pepco’s effort to have all customers on smart meters by the end of 2012 isn’t going to happen.
Installation of the new meters is taking a little longer than expected. The Gazette reports nearly 80 percent of Pepco’s customers in the region have the meters installed. The new technology allows the meters to send data about energy usage to the utility. And, according to Pepco, the meters will also assist in pinpointing outages in the future.
Some customers have balked at having the meters installed, citing safety and privacy concerns.
Maryland’s Public Service Comission has allowed some customers to opt out of installation – but only temporarily.
Most of the remaining customers should have the smart meters installed by the end of January. A final decision on customers who’ve opted out will be made on the issue at a later date.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
