“DTE Energy Co. is seeking state approval to charge customers a one-time $87 fee, plus $15 a month, if they refuse new electronic meters that send information about energy consumption back to the utility.”
“Republican state Reps. Paul Opsommer of DeWitt and Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills questioned DTE’s proposed fees and the commission’s health findings.
“There are definitely ways we can do this where it should end up costing people only a few dollars,” said Opsommer, who along with McMillin has proposed legislation requiring utilities to allow customers to opt out of smart meters.
“Charging people for something with questionable benefits that they never wanted in the first place will not be well received by customers who can’t get up and leave for another utility,” he said.”
Note: NSMA Assumes that the customers will be able to retain their ANALOG meters. We were unable to immediately determine if DTE customers would be paying for this right. Analog is the only truly safe meter and the only way to ensure privacy is maintained on a home.
Full Story: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120802/BIZ/208020384