Nothing to be Afraid Of: A Pacific Gas & Electric Company worker displays the back of a SmartMeter. Photo courtesy PG&E.
Brainy Waves
Audit gives SmartMeters a high grade.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
An independent state audit has found few problems with the wireless gas and electric meter upgrades that Pacific Gas & Electric and other utilities are installing statewide.
The review, released Sept. 2 by the California Public Utilities Commission, found that the nearly 6 million SmartMeters PG&E has already installed are accurately recording electricity use. But it blames PG&E's "poor customer service" for some 4,500 complaints.
Proponents view SmartMeters as a way to more efficiently track energy usage and pinpoint conservation opportunities. Critics have raised concerns about SmartMeters' impacts on health, privacy and energy rates - leading Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) to call for the audit. Florez has questioned whether the audit dug deep enough.
PG&E's SmartMeter rollout in Monterey County begins this month (to mild protest), as the Weekly reported Sept. 2.
Citizens for Sustainable Marina hosts a discussion with Monterey resident and SmartMeter critic Nina Beety Monday, Sept. 13. 7pm, Marina Library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. 884-9662, c4smarina@gmail.com
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