Cincinnati: Ohio Duke Energy customers now have an “opt out” for smart meters.
On January 24, 2017, WCPO Cincinnati reporter, John Matarese produced a story about Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky customers who had contacted him about astronomical utility bills. “Why Your Duke Bill’s So High Despite Warm Month”
He also posted a link for the story on his Facebook page on the same day. There were over 500 comments posted and over 700 shares. Duke Energy took no responsibility.
On April 19, 2017 similar complaints were reported by Duke customers in Terre Haute and Greencastle, Indiana for the same time period. Duke Energy handled the situation very differently: “Early 2017 was ‘perfect storm’ for Duke Energy. President says several issues led to blizzard of complaints”
Billing complaints aren’t isolated to Duke Energy. A recent Dutch study revealed that over a six month period, nine of the most commonly installed “smart” meters had measurement errors between 30% and 582%.
Since 2012, John Matarese has produced other stories regarding issues with Duke Energy AMI “smart” meters:
2012: “Don’t Want Smart Meter – Power Shut Off”
2013: “Smart Meter Makes Touch Lamp Go Crazy”
2016: “Duke Energy to allow Smart Meter Opting Out”
The Ohio Duke Energy “opt out” program formally went into effect in September 2016. The PUCO case record is still open and comments are still being added. The tariff was only written for the electric meter. However, customers have reported that they’ve also been able to have the transmitter from their gas meters removed after filing a complaint with PUCO.
Some Duke customers have allegedly not received a call back from Duke after requesting their meters be replaced. They are encouraged to contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). They are also encouraged to share their stories at the Stop Smart Meters Ohio Facebook page.
There have been reports that employees have told them that they don’t have “smart” meters – that they have “AMI” meters (the same thing by a different name). This has also been deterring customers from “opting out”.
Duke Energy also has “smart” meters installed in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. There have been complaints filed in all states but so far Ohio is the only one with an “opt out” program
Speak out and demand meter choice and freedom from unwanted surveillance, health and safety hazards, and overcharges!
Here in Michigan we have an “opt out” for $69 dollars and $10 a month to read the meter, which most people read their own meters and report to Consumers or DTE in Michigan. I had 4 Dr. letters stating the digital “opt out” meter would cause me great harm or kill me. I moved into my husbands house when married in 2009 and started immediately to deteriorate healthwise….weird heart beats, headaches, , muscles ached….By August 2015 my husband cut the breaker and realized it was the DIGITAL METER. I was probably with days of dying. My doctors were amazed how my health improved after the meter was removed. Consumers cut our power 9-11-15 and it is still off and I am a PERMANENTLY DISABLED WOMAN! NO ONE CAN HELP US!!
Jaime Chimner
Cheboygan, MI
Hey I have a question can Duke energy refuse a customer a opted out smart meter if they have dogs on their property