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PG&E disclosed an array of problems with its controversial SmartMeters on Monday but said accuracy is not one of them.
PG&E executives told lawmakers in Sacramento that only eight of its 5.5 million installed SmartMeters had inaccurately reported a customer’s energy use.
But the digital meters are far from perfect. The San Jose Mercury News reported:
PG&E detailed 43,376 cases in which the meters were involved in other kinds of problems. It said 23,000 meters were installed improperly, 11,376 failed to retain consumer usage information and 9,000 had trouble connecting with the wireless network.
“No technology is infallible. No technology is completely immune to human error. And, to my knowledge, no one at PG&E has made such a claim,” Helen Burt, PG&E senior vice president and chief customer officer, said in prepared remarks before a California Senate hearing Monday. “Last fall, when we said ‘the meters work,’ we meant it. They do. But that doesn’t mean that every single one of them works 100 percent of the time.”
The automated meters record gas and electricity use and transmit the data back to PG&E over a wireless network. PG&E says the new meters will help consumers use less energy and save money.
The state Public Utilities Commission has received nearly 1,000 customer complaints about the devices. The Mercury News reported:
Hundreds of PG&E customers who already have SmartMeters have complained of skyrocketing electric bills, leading to widespread suspicions that the meters either malfunction or are used to intentionally overcharge.
In Sonoma County, some residents have expressed concerns about the health effects of the radio waves emitted by the wireless devices.
State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, said Monday’s hearing of the Senate Select Committee on the Smart Grid would be the first of several to examine problems with SmartMeters. Many PG&E customers in his Central Valley district are furious over the technology, he said.
“This is a revolt,” Florez said. “The tea party has nothing on smart meters in the Central Valley.”
After two lengthy debates, the Sebastopol City Council asked PG&E to defer installing the meters until health and accuracy concerns could be investigated and discussed in a public meeting.
Last week, PG&E abruptly pulled out of a public forum in Sebastopol organized by Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo to address consumers’ concerns with the new SmartMeters. Local officials criticized the last-minute decision to withdraw from the forum, which drew about 300 people.
Instead, the San Francisco utility scheduled an open house from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Veterans Hall in Sebastopol for anyone who wants to show up and ask questions about the meters.
— Ted Appel
Watch Sonoma County
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If you have a complaint, please contact the CPUC, and also Dean Florez. The only way they will know is if we all tell them no!! In response to these idiots who commented- Just because they are called smart doesn’t mean they are smart. I know an IT expert that has been involved in testing the security of these devices and with cheap software, you too can bill your neighbor for your power use. Maybe if you are a ‘terrorist’ you could shut down the whole damn country! Anybody who trusts computers/wireless is a fool! You probably still use a microwave to heat your “food”. You call this civilization! I call it IDIOCRACY! Enjoy your SERVITUDE
Well, I found it hard to believe that PGandE had let these old, and I mean old meters in service so long. My meter was replaced by the contractor, Wellington, not PGandE and it was on the house since the 60′s. Before it was changed, my electrician friend clocked the meter and said it was slow. So now I am being charged for what I am using. Parties over guys, so stop your WHINING and dont forget to put on your aluminum foil hats. Go off the grid and you’ll be free. I am a Sebastopol resident, and I for one, am embarrased by all my paranoid neighbors.
Electricity bills are going up for some consumers because of a steeply tiered rate curve that is the PUC’s response to the demand that it reduce CO2 emissions, as required by law.
After a customer revolt in Bakersfield, PG&E is seeking PUC approval to lower upper tier rates. Of course, that means that those who use less electricity will now pay more.
Smart Meters have nothing to do with it.
Alternative energy costs money. We will not reduce fossil fuel use without having to pay a price. Going green costs money. Europeans seem to accept this; Californians, alas, are still looking for that free lunch.
My elecrticity rate has jumped a good 50 percent since PG&E installed a smart meter
Read up on proposition 16 and you’ll realize that smart meters are the least of our worries with PG&E…
PG&E came to my home to try and install one of these meters. I asked the guy who came what it was and most importantly if my rates were going to go up.
He responded that he wasn’t supposed to say anything, but that my rates would most likely would go up after the installed of the SmartMeter. I asked him not to install it and that was that.
Seems PG&E knows that most people’s rates are going to go up.
I have a complaint.
My Electricity charges have gone from average $90.00-$120.00 to an average of $600.00 monthly this year!
People in my house are having to move out because they cant afford the electricity prices. Who can blame them?
I have spoken on the phone and in person with PG&E many times and it’s the same crap.
They blame it on you, your washing machine, your refrigerator, your overusage,etc. All of which is of course not the cause of the problem and PG&E know it!
PG&E are blatantly RIPPING US OFF!