The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) authorized smart-meter programs statewide. For Montgomery County, that translates to Pepco (most of the county) and BGE (some northern areas) using AMI (“smart”) electric meters with a PSC-mandated opt-out path that includes fees. For water, WSSC Water is running an AMI pilot. For gas, Washington Gas has been deploying AMI meters, with no PSC-regulated opt-out program published like Pepco/BGE’s.
Electric Smart Meters (Pepco & BGE)
Pepco (serves most of Montgomery County, MD)
- Opt-out available (PSC-mandated).
- Fees: $75 one-time + $14/month recurring.
- Source: WTOP coverage of PSC ruling
BGE (serves parts of northern Montgomery County, MD)
- Opt-out available (PSC-mandated).
- Fees: $75 one-time + $5.50/month (reduced from $11 effective Jan 2016).
- Source: Maryland PSC release on BGE fee reduction
Notes for residents
- These fees apply in Montgomery County, MD because they’re set by the PSC for each utility’s whole service territory.
- For BGE, the $75 may be billed in three $25 installments. Confirm the details with your utility.
One resident’s experience with the Pepco opt-out process
The following observations are based on the experience of a Montgomery County resident who successfully requested a smart meter opt-out from Pepco. This experience may not reflect every case, but it offers practical insight into what the process can involve in practice:
- When contacting Pepco, the resident found it more effective to keep the request simple and avoid detailed explanations for why the opt-out was requested.
- During initial calls, the resident reported receiving inconsistent or inaccurate information from customer service representatives. When a call did not result in progress, they chose to try again at a later time.
- Even after Pepco agreed to process the opt-out, the resident found it important to call back to confirm that the request had actually been entered into the system.
- In this case, the meter change occurred without advance notice, and the resident only confirmed the change by inspecting the meter directly and comparing it with neighboring meters. Taking a photo of the existing meter beforehand may help confirm the change.
- The resident reported that the replacement meter provided was not an older analog meter, but a modern digital meter without routine wireless transmissions. Note: We are working on confirming what wireless transmissions these replacement meters have.)
Gas Smart Meters (Washington Gas)
Washington Gas has introduced AMI gas meters that transmit usage data wirelessly. Unlike Pepco/BGE, there isn’t a published PSC-regulated opt-out program.
Residents can (and should):
- Ask Washington Gas for the location, meter make/model and transmission method.
- Request a non-transmitting alternative or manual read.
- If denied, file a complaint with the PSC.
Water Smart Meters (WSSC Water)
WSSC Water is piloting AMI water meters. The pilot uses Badger meters that transmit usage data periodically (e.g., up to four times per weekday) over a secure cellular network.
- County-wide opt-out policy has not been finalized.
- Residents should ask whether their address is in the pilot, what model is used, and whether a non-transmitting option or deferral is available.
- Resources: WSSC AMI Project | WSSC AMI FAQ | WSSC AMI OLDER FAQ
Key Concerns Across Utilities
- Privacy & Security: Smart-meter interval data can reveal occupancy patterns and appliance use. See OPC’s smart-meter guide.
- Health & RF Exposure: AMI meters add another RF source to homes already near Wi-Fi/cell equipment; transmission duty cycles vary by utility/model.
- Process & Choice: For electric customers, opt-out exists but includes monthly fees; for gas and water, policies are less defined.
Resident Instructions: Taking Action in Montgomery County, MD
- Identify your utilities (electric: Pepco or BGE; gas: Washington Gas; water: WSSC Water).
- Get meter details: Ask for the location, make, model, wireless technology, and transmit interval/duty cycle. Keep written records.
- Electric opt-out (Pepco/BGE): Request the PSC-mandated opt-out; confirm fees ($75 up-front; $14/mo Pepco; $5.50/mo BGE). Ask about installment options for the $75. Get written confirmation.
- Gas/Water alternatives: Ask Washington Gas and WSSC about non-transmitting meters that are read manually by a utility worker (manual reads) and whether any accommodations are available. Document the responses.
- If you hit a wall: File a complaint with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) and contact the Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) for help.
- PSC Online Complaints Portal (fastest): mdpsc.my.site.com/complaints/s
- PSC Complaints Information Page: psc.state.md.us/online-complaints
- Printable PSC Complaint Form (PDF): psc.state.md.us/wp-content/uploads/Complaint-Form.pdf
- PSC Consumer Affairs (phone): (410) 767-8028 or (800) 492-0474 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
- OPC Smart Meters: opc.maryland.gov/Consumer-Learning/Electricity/Smart-Meters
Tip: The PSC asks that you first contact your utility directly. If the issue is unresolved, then file a complaint with PSC and notify OPC.
Summary Table: Utilities / Actions / Contacts (Montgomery County, MD)
| Utility / Service | What to Ask For | Opt-Out / Alternative | Fees (if any) | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepco (electric) | Opt-out; meter make/model; transmit schedule | Yes (PSC-mandated) | $75 one-time + $14/mo | 202-833-7500; Pepco Smart Meter Opt-Out (Maryland) |
| BGE (electric) | Opt-out; installment of $75; meter specs | Yes (PSC-mandated) | $75 one-time + $5.50/mo | 1-800-685-0123; BGE Smart Meters |
| Washington Gas (gas) | Meter model; wireless method; manual read option | No PSC-published opt-out; request alternatives | N/A | 844-927-4427 |
| WSSC Water (water) | Pilot status; location; meter model; transmit frequency; deferral | Pilot phase; ask about deferral/alternatives | N/A | 301-206-4001; WSSC AMI |
Actions You Can Consider (Montgomery County, MD Context)
This section is informational, not legal advice. Consult a Maryland attorney experienced in utility and disability law.
1) File PSC Complaints / Intervene in Proceedings (Electric/Gas/Water)
If you’re denied an opt-out (electric) or a reasonable alternative (gas/water), file a complaint with the PSC and share documentation. OPC can guide consumers.
2) Environmental / Process-Based Challenges (Water/Gas Pilots & Rollouts)
For large deployments, residents can raise issues about notice, data privacy, or environmental impacts during pilot expansions; attend WSSC Commission meetings and submit written comments.
3) EMS/Disability Accommodations (ADA-based requests)
Residents who experience electromagnetic sensitivity (EMS) may request a reasonable accommodation under disability rights laws:
- Put your request in writing to the utility (Pepco/BGE/Washington Gas or WSSC Water).
- Ask for a non-transmitting meter or manual reads.
- Request that any fees tied to the accommodation be waived.
- Keep medical documentation and correspondence.
- For public entities (e.g., WSSC Water), cite ADA Title II. For private utilities, explore options under federal/state disability law with a disability-rights attorney.
4) Local Documentation & Public Records
Use Maryland’s Public Information Act to request meter specifications, duty-cycle data, complaints, and correspondence concerning AMI deployments in Montgomery County, MD. Submit what you find to PSC/OPC and County officials during hearings.
Additional Resources for Montgomery County, MD Residents
- ADA Guide to Disability Rights: https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/
- Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: https://mccr.maryland.gov
Meter Location Information
Electric Meters (Pepco & BGE in MoCo)
- Historical location:
- Electric meters in Montgomery County, MD have almost always been mounted on the exterior wall of each home or building (next to the electrical panel).
- Rare exceptions exist in older rowhouses or multifamily properties where meters were placed in basement meter rooms.
- Electric meters in Montgomery County, MD have almost always been mounted on the exterior wall of each home or building (next to the electrical panel).
- Today with AMI (smart meters):
- Pepco and BGE install smart meters in the same exterior location where the analog meter was.
- No countywide relocation program — they generally “swap out” in place.
- Pepco and BGE install smart meters in the same exterior location where the analog meter was.
- Resident considerations:
- For most homes, RF transmissions originate on the outside wall of the house, sometimes close to bedrooms, living rooms, or patios depending on placement.
- In multifamily/condos, multiple meters may be clustered together, which can increase cumulative exposure.
- For most homes, RF transmissions originate on the outside wall of the house, sometimes close to bedrooms, living rooms, or patios depending on placement.
Gas Meters (Washington Gas in Montgomery County, MD)
- Historical location:
- Older homes often had gas meters inside basements (protected from weather).
- Starting in the 1970s–80s, Washington Gas began moving meters to the outside of homes for easier access and safety (fire code compliance, emergency shutoffs).
- Older homes often had gas meters inside basements (protected from weather).
- Today with AMI gas meters:
- Most Montgomery County, MD homes now have gas meters outside on a side wall or in a small enclosure.
- In some older homes, gas meters remain indoors, especially if relocation would require extensive pipe work.
- Washington Gas has been encouraging or requiring relocation outside during service upgrades.
- Most Montgomery County, MD homes now have gas meters outside on a side wall or in a small enclosure.
- Resident considerations:
- For homes with indoor gas meters, AMI transmitter units may now be inside the basement/utility room, increasing in-home RF exposure.
- For relocated meters outdoors, emissions are external, but may still be near living spaces.
- For homes with indoor gas meters, AMI transmitter units may now be inside the basement/utility room, increasing in-home RF exposure.
Water Meters (WSSC Water in Montgomery County, MD)
- Historical location:
- In older Montgomery County, MD homes, water meters were often installed inside basements or utility rooms.
- Starting in the 1980s–90s, WSSC began moving many meters outdoors into curbside meter pits to improve access and reduce the need for meter readers to enter homes.
- In older Montgomery County, MD homes, water meters were often installed inside basements or utility rooms.
- Today with AMI (pilot meters):
- The AMI pilot meters (Badger “Beacon” cellular) are typically installed where the old meter was:
- If your property already had an outdoor pit, that’s where the smart meter is placed.
- If your home still has an indoor meter, WSSC may install the AMI device inside the home unless they relocate it during modernization.
- If your property already had an outdoor pit, that’s where the smart meter is placed.
- WSSC has indicated a long-term goal of more curbside installations.
- The AMI pilot meters (Badger “Beacon” cellular) are typically installed where the old meter was:
- Resident considerations:
- Indoor water meters with AMI: RF transmitter is inside the home.
- Curbside pit meters: RF transmitter is outside at the street, generally several yards from the house.
- Indoor water meters with AMI: RF transmitter is inside the home.
Key Takeaways for Montgomery County, MD Residents
- Electric (Pepco/BGE): Usually exterior wall; rarely relocated — RF almost always originates on the house wall.
- Gas (Washington Gas): Many older indoor meters have been moved outside, but some remain indoors; new AMI deployments may mean indoor RF for those homes.
Water (WSSC): Historically a mix; many have been moved outdoors to pits, but some homes still have indoor meters — and if AMI is added indoors, RF is inside the home.
Photos submitted by Montgomery County, MD residents
Electric utility meters currently encountered in Montgomery County generally fall into three categories. Legacy analog (electromechanical) meters are mechanical devices that use a rotating aluminum disk to measure electricity consumption and do not contain digital electronics or wireless communication components. These meters were widely used prior to the deployment of smart metering systems and are no longer routinely installed by most utilities.
Smart meters, also referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, are solid-state digital devices equipped with wireless communication technology. These meters transmit electricity usage data to the utility via radiofrequency (RF) signals, often as part of a mesh or cellular-based network.
In response to customer opt-out requests, some utilities install a digital non-wireless meter (also referred to as a manual-read or opt-out meter). These meters retain modern digital measurement components but do not routinely transmit usage data wirelessly. Instead, they require manual meter readings. Although these meters are not equivalent to older analog meters, they typically emit substantially less RF radiation than wireless smart meters.
The resident-submitted photos below illustrate examples of these meter types. Captions identify the utility and meter category shown.
