SMECO Seeks Authorization for Public EV Charging Equipment

[David]

Electric cars keep on coming...

SMECO has submitted a filing with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting authorization to install up to 60 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the cooperative’s service area over a five-year pilot period.

SMECO plans to work with state, municipal, and local government entities to determine the locations for public electric vehicle (EV) chargers, which will include Level 2 chargers and Direct Current Fast Chargers. According to SMECO, the cooperative has already received great interest in EV charging stations from local governments seeking to provide stations for public use. The cooperative plans to develop an application and a method of determining the most suitable locations for the chargers. An important consideration is the existing infrastructure already in place. SMECO anticipates starting the pilot in 2020.

 

[glhs837]

Hmm, I assume these will be units that people pay to use? I dont mind supporting the shift to EVs, but giving the power we pay for away for free is a step too far. The govt shouldnt be in the business of giving away fuel.

 

[MiddleGround]

SMECO can't give ANYTHING for a decent price let alone give it away for free!

 

[David]

I assume these will be units that people pay to use?

I was surprised to learn that there are some free charging stations out there. But, looks like that is ending:

https://www.govtech.com/transportat...de-at-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Stations.html

I doubt SMECO would offer anything free, unless the government was subsidizing it.

SMECO can't give ANYTHING for a decent price

I had always assumed they were the lowest cost operator in the state (based on per cost per KwH), since they are a Coop. But, after looking it up, they are not. They have a program in Md. where you can switch to any other provider, and I often get mail and guys coming to the door pitching it, but I'm not sure I know enough to try it. Sounds like a recipe for a disaster.

 

[nutz]

SMECO can't give ANYTHING for a decent price let alone give it away for free!

You dont have to use SMECO.

 

[MiddleGround]

You dont have to use SMECO.

Typical SOMD response.

"WHAT?? You expect XXX business to provide good service at a reasonable rate?!"

"If you don't like it, don't hold the business accountable. Just go somewhere else!"

And people wonder why so many places around here have high prices and crappy service.

 

[Gilligan]

Typical SOMD response.

"WHAT?? You expect XXX business to provide good service at a reasonable rate?!"

"If you don't like it, don't hold the business accountable. Just go somewhere else!"

And people wonder why so many places around here have high prices and crappy service.

I've found SMECO rates to be reasonable and their service excellent. At least since I moved back here in '85 anyway.

 

[glhs837]

I am a bit tired of being told that I'm the energy bad boy of my local area. Inhabitied by empty nesters who evidently power their houses with excercize bicycles and burning sunflower hulls. Yeah, got four adults in the house, two who are home all day, screw off with your enegry usage shaming smeco.

 

[BernieP]

I was surprised to learn that there are some free charging stations out there. But, looks like that is ending:

https://www.govtech.com/transportat...de-at-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Stations.html

I doubt SMECO would offer anything free, unless the government was subsidizing it.

I was staying at a hotel that had reserved spaces / charging stations for EVs. Don't think they had to pay extra.
But this is how the "green new deal" will work, tax dollars will pay for everything that can't economically stand on it's own.

 

[luvmygdaughters]

I am a bit tired of being told that I'm the energy bad boy of my local area. Inhabitied by empty nesters who evidently power their houses with excercize bicycles and burning sunflower hulls. Yeah, got four adults in the house, two who are home all day, screw off with your enegry usage shaming smeco.

We were the same way for about two years. We used a great majority of the electric on our street, according to Smeco, Of course, we had two vacant houses next to us and one behind us, for a couple of years. May explain a few things. I would still take them over BG&E...ANYTIME!!!

 

[David]

am a bit tired of being told that I'm the energy bad boy of my local area.

I have one of the smallest houses in the hood and I generally keep everything off when not in use, yet, I too am the local bad boy. Kinda wonder if maybe everyone who gets those reports is the bad boy?

 

[Chris0nllyn]

Typical SOMD response.

"WHAT?? You expect XXX business to provide good service at a reasonable rate?!"

"If you don't like it, don't hold the business accountable. Just go somewhere else!"

And people wonder why so many places around here have high prices and crappy service.

Isn't that basic capitalism?

 

[MiddleGround]

I have one of the smallest houses in the hood and I generally keep everything off when not in use, yet, I too am the local bad boy. Kinda wonder if maybe everyone who gets those reports is the bad boy?

I have said several times that it is probably a ploy to have you pay for SMECO's energy usage evaluation. As well as give them the ability to pimp their energy efficient home products.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

I have said several times that it is probably a ploy to have you pay for SMECO's energy usage evaluation. As well as give them the ability to pimp their energy efficient home products.

The energy improvement program and energy efficienty kit are both free.
https://www.smeco.coop/save-energy-and-money/home-energy-improvement-program
https://smecoeekit.icfwebservices.com/enroll?_ga=2.146723634.723476104.1559230136-1740462048.1559230136

 

[Gilligan]

I have one of the smallest houses in the hood and I generally keep everything off when not in use, yet, I too am the local bad boy. Kinda wonder if maybe everyone who gets those reports is the bad boy?

Weird...I don't recall ever getting any kind of usage notice from SMECO and our usage rates are crazy high.

 

[BernieP]

Weird...I don't recall ever getting any kind of usage notice from SMECO and our usage rates are crazy high.

I think they come n the bill and it doesn't specify who you are being compared to, I was always a bit suspect that we were way above average.
But it all works on the premise you care enough to change. I think we are pretty efficient, most of the lights are LED, EE appliances, etc.
I'm not going to sweat inside my house, so the temperature is set where it is and I don't really want anyone outside mucking with where I set the thermostat.
But everything I've done to the house has been paid for by me, done because I felt it was technically, economically and healthy and not because of some silly graph that I don't understand the basis of their data.

 

[David]

I don't recall ever getting any kind of usage notice from SMECO

I have been getting this report in the hardcopy mail (separate from the bill) for quite some time, then I started getting the same in my email. I'd love to know who these "Efficient neighbors" are. I'm usually just a hair under all neighbors, like this one, or the culprit by a hair.

This is a relative small house, a SMECO energy saver construction, and the top of the line Trane variable speed heat pump and I only heat/cool the 1st floor.

 

[MiddleGround]

The best ones are the reports they send that say "You used 19% less energy this week as opposed to last week and your bill for the week is $30"

You get 4 of those in the mail BUT, when you get your bill it is like $230! You do the math because I don't believe SMECO is

 

[nutz]

Typical SOMD response.

"WHAT?? You expect XXX business to provide good service at a reasonable rate?!"

"If you don't like it, don't hold the business accountable. Just go somewhere else!"

And people wonder why so many places around here have high prices and crappy service.

Nothing typical about it other than your knee jerk response. Compare SMECO’s rates and service to other providers in the area. In Md. you get a choice. https://www.smeco.coop/customer-choice

 

[nutz]

I am a bit tired of being told that I'm the energy bad boy of my local area. Inhabitied by empty nesters who evidently power their houses with excercize bicycles and burning sunflower hulls. Yeah, got four adults in the house, two who are home all day, screw off with your enegry usage shaming smeco.

Look real close ( may need a magnifier) and see that its really a ploy to get you to buy some more energy efficient stuff through their subcontractor.