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Smart meter opt-out plan ordered by CPUC

Details: Category: Smart Meter Facts

CPUC ANNOUNCES SMART METER OPT-OUT PLAN / VIDEO OF MARCH 10, 2011 CPUC MEETING

Note: In the first five minutes of this video, hear Michael Peevey, President of CPUC, describe the smart meter opt-out plan he is directing PG&E to submit, within 2 weeks. In the following hour, listen to members of the public submit their statements to the CPUC. Important to know that since requested accommodations were not made by the CPUC, many disabled members of the public could not attend nor call-in to speak, from all parts of California.

Read article in the San Francisco Gate on opt-out directive by CPUC:

2-week deadline for PG&E's SmartMeter opt-out plan

"(03-10) 16:50 PST -- California's top utility regulator on Thursday gave Pacific Gas and Electric Co. two weeks to propose a way for customers to opt out of receiving the company's controversial wireless SmartMeters.

The move follows mounting complaints about the new electricity and gas meters from people who consider the radiation from cell phones, computers and other wireless devices to be a health threat. Opponents have tried to block SmartMeter installation trucks, while 30 local governments throughout Northern and Central California have called for a moratorium on PG&E's $2.2 billion meter program.

The California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees PG&E, has so far refused to halt the program. But on Thursday, commission President Michael Peevey said he had told PG&E to come up with options for customers who don't want the wireless meters.

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a tv news story with survey of people who would like to opt-out (75%)

CPUC Says PG&E Should Allow SmartMeter Opt-Out

Some Customers Worry About Potential Health Effects

POSTED: 1:17 pm PST March 10, 2011
UPDATED: 7:12 pm PST March 10, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO -- California regulators will ask Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to set up a process so its customers can opt out of SmartMeters if they have concerns about the devices' potential health effects. California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Peevey says he will ask the utility to develop the proposal over the next two weeks.

Peevey's announcement came before dozens of people and advocacy groups testified at Thursday's commission meeting that exposure to radio frequencies and radiation from the wireless electricity and gas meters was harming people's health. PG&E maintains that the meters are safe. Other PUC commissioners have said they want to see more research on whether the electronic meter-reading system can impact health. Peevey said he believes PG&E should allow customers to opt out for a "reasonable cost."