Driving home the point: our local electric utility filed, and got, a rate that allows them to charge $21.53 per month to customers who refuse a smart meter, to cover reading it. Plus rental on the meter (at about $2.21/mo.). Plus, if it's got to be replaced for some reason, work order charges from about $77 upwards. Plus, as you mention, estimated billing, although that normally sorts itself out when they're finally able to get an actual reading.eric wrote:Oh well, if someone has the unusual IMHO belief that they should pay extra for their privileges as FMOTL, I guess it's their right. Around here when we still had legacy meters they charged you an estimated rate based on your historical useage if they couldn't get access to your meter - it was usually higher than the real consumption from my personal experience.
Our local electric utility learned from the experience of one of the local municipal utilities, which forced the installation of smart meters and consequently drew the wrath of a local anti- group.
Lesson to be learned: sometimes it's easier just to say, "You win—you lose."
