SmartMeters Will Be Tested By PUC
Independent Contractor Will Be Hired

POSTED: 5:05 pm PST December 9, 2009
UPDATED: 7:29 pm PST December 9, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. SmartMeters are under the microscope after a number of complaints from customers.

The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates energy companies, is now going to test SmartMeters.

PG&E said SmartMeters will help save energy by letting customers view hourly electric and daily gas usage.

But some customers don't think the readings are accurate -- and some customers claim their bills tripled.

The commission is now hiring an independent contractor to find out if the meters are measuring and billing electric usage correctly.

Call 3 has learned that rate-payers are paying for that project.

"The rate-payers shouldn't pay a dime for these tests. This should have been done well earlier in this experiment, and that's what's disappointing. The PUC sees our pocketbooks, yours and mine, as some sort of ATM," said State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter.

PG&E can continue to deploy SmartMeters in communities, Call 3 has learned.

The energy company has already installed more than a million SmartMeters in California.

A new proposal would allow PG&E to raise rates for people who use the least amount of power and lower rates for those who use more.

Some customers say it's punishing power misers and rewarding those who use up too much energy.

Electric rates are set on a tier structure. Lower tiers pay lower rates because of a cap. Higher tiers have borne cost increases, like rising fuel prices.

Now, that cap could be lifted. Under the new rate structure, lower tiers could see a 5 percent hike and higher tiers would see a 4 percent decrease.

Even so, the commission said the fundamental structure of those who use the most energy still pay the most.

The commission is set to vote on the rate adjustment on Dec.17.

New rates would go into effect in January.

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