Right now Virginians do not have a safe utility meter opt-out option, yet Dominion Energy is petitioning the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to revise its advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) - or smart meter opt-out policy - to increase customer's base rate and force those who opt-out to pay a monthly fee.
Under the revised policy, customers requesting to opt out of a “smart” meter installation will be charged a monthly fee of $10.35
Dominion is also seeking approval to increase the basic monthly customer charge for residential customers receiving service under Schedule 1. The company proposed to increase the basic charge from $7.58 to $9.05, effective January 1, 2025
The SCC is accepting comments through the SCC’s website by November 20, 2023, at
scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments and we would like a copy of your comments to provide a hard copy to the SCC as well:
- First, if you haven't already, go to the SCC website, select "Cases" and then "Submit Public Comments," and scroll down to case number PUR-2023-00101. Then click SUBMIT COMMENTS. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00101
- Next, copy and past your comments in the text box below so we can make your comments a part of the stack we deliver to the SCC!
- Tell us if you will allow us to use your testimony to inform others. We will only be identifying individuals who give us permission by first name and county, or first name and state if you do not reside in Virginia.
VIRGINIA CONSUMERS DO NOT HAVE A SAFE SMART METER OPT-OUT, AND WE SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE CURRENT OPT-OUT OPTION
➢ According to Dominion, the Opt-out meter option is a smart meter with the 2-way radio frequency (RF) communicating chip either disabled or removed, however we have been told by the SCC that it is still a smart meter and Dominion decides if this chip is activated or not.
➢ Consumers have no way of knowing if Opt-out meter two-way communicating antenna is actually disabled. It can be enabled by software push without the knowledge of homeowner.
➢ The opt-out meter still puts dirty electricity on the wiring throughout the home due to the switch mode power supply.
➢ The opt-out meter still collects detailed personal data on what goes on in the home.
➢The opt-out meter still does not have grounding or surge protections and poses a huge fire risk.
➢The opt-out meter still is not cyber secure and is easily hackable.
➢ DEV does not inform consumers that this device emits radiation or what options are available to medically opt-out. E.g. Dominion does not provide information that these meters could possibly interfere with pacemakers and other electronic medical implant devices or adversely impact certain disabilities.
➢ There is a medical exemption but it is not advertised as part of the Opt-out form, and to our knowledge, they are not easily approved and the process is very onerous and intrusive. We are unaware of any being approved.
➢ Businesses and farm structures are unable to Opt-out and those in high density living situations are exposed to RF regardless.
➢ DEV's Opt-out program and procedures are confusing. Consumers are not given clear and concise terms of Opt-out program or what their options are and what the opt-out meter does, and there is ample evidence consumers aren't getting uniform answers from DEV. E.g. consumers told they can't opt-out, given varying responses regarding their Opt-out options and the meter capabilities, and receiving a smart meter on their homes even though they opted out.
Please visit www.VirginiansforSafeTech.org for additional information.