In order to provide customers who have concerns about wireless smart meter technology with alternative options for recording their energy use, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) has asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to give customers a choice to use traditional analog, mechanical meters in exchange for a fee. PG&E is installing smart meters throughout its service area in northern and central California as part of a statewide program. Similar metering programs are now under way at utilities throughout the country and around the world. To date, the utility has installed almost 9 million gas and electric smart meters.
Independent studies have repeatedly affirmed the safety and accuracy of smart meters, according to PG&E. However, in response to comments from some customers, the utility proposed in March offering customers a choice to turn off the radios in their smart meters.
The utility also provided customers with the option to delay the installation of new smart meters until CPUC approves a way to opt out of the program. Now, in response to further customer feedback, PG&E has asked CPUC to approve analog meters as an additional alternative to receiving a smart meter.
CPUC is expected to issue its smart meter opt-out decision soon, and that decision will likely ask customers who opt-out of the program to pay an initial fee and some reasonable monthly charge to cover the costs of manual meter reading and other associated operational and billing issues, according to PG&E.
Independent studies have repeatedly affirmed the safety and accuracy of smart meters, according to PG&E. However, in response to comments from some customers, the utility proposed in March offering customers a choice to turn off the radios in their smart meters.
The utility also provided customers with the option to delay the installation of new smart meters until CPUC approves a way to opt out of the program. Now, in response to further customer feedback, PG&E has asked CPUC to approve analog meters as an additional alternative to receiving a smart meter.
CPUC is expected to issue its smart meter opt-out decision soon, and that decision will likely ask customers who opt-out of the program to pay an initial fee and some reasonable monthly charge to cover the costs of manual meter reading and other associated operational and billing issues, according to PG&E.
