We moved November 2017 and were forced to change Electric companies to Duke Energy.  Within a year a Duke Energy employee drove up in our driveway and said he was here to install a smart meter.  My husband told him to please leave.  The employee stated there would be a fee but when asked what are the fees he said he didn't know and left.  

After doing online research it became evident that Duke Energy had begun this project and in 2016 began charging fees to customer power bills which NC Public Utilities Commission approved. Opting out of a smart meter in NC has now become a burden not only on the Customer but to their physician who is forced to have their signature "notarized".

Beginning Oct. 1, Duke Energy Carolinas customers can opt out of smart meter installation by calling customer service at 1-800-777-9898. Without a notarized statement from a physician licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board, customers who opt out will be charged a one-time $150 set-up fee and a monthly charge of $11.75. Duke Energy Progress customers who would like to be bypassed during the installation process can call 1-800-554-3297.

My husband immediately called the Customer toll free number on our bill and spoke to a Customer Representative in great length because he kept being put on hold.  She confirmed the fees that would be added to our bill if we would not switch to the new smart meter.  During the phone call, we were also told they would be mailing documents to take to his Physician to sign and have notarized which wouldn't still stop the new smart meter just from having it activated to be used as a smart meter which still makes no sense to me.  Once the device is installed Duke Energy can then do whatever they want.  

We are both disabled and my husband is a Pulmonary lung patient whose disease is Emphysema.  Regardless of having any medical disease which may or may not be affected by a Smart Meter no person should be forced to pay ongoing fees for protecting their rights and health. There are other States that have not approved Duke Energy permission to charge these fees.  

Here is one link/URL that can give more detail about this issue:

https://mountainx.com/news/duke-smart-meter-rollout-sparks-health-concerns-for-some-customers/

Not only does the Smart Meters affects one's health they also increase your power bill, allows the Utility company to "spy" on you because they know the peak times your home is using more power thus being able to spike up your bill for KWH used. Even people with Solar panels on their homes that received the Smart meters saw their power bills drastically go up.

I have no doubt had we not been home the Smart Meter would have been installed. The only way we knew someone was here is because of our Ring Doorbell camera alerted us someone was on our property.  Others have been at work and came home and had their meter changed out without prior permission only to be notified by a door hanger being left.

The "Opt Out" hasn't been approved by North Carolina only by calling Duke - Energy and jumping through their hoops of getting forms filled out and notarized by a physician licensed by the NC State Board.

The NC Utilities Commission needs to review their past agreement and refuse permission to Duke Energy for charging fees, forcing customers to spend time and money to get documents signed by their physician.  The Opt-Out should be able to be easier and less stressful on the paying customer period.