PG&E’S CONTROVERSIAL SMARTMETERS ARE BEING INSTALLED NOW. There is no shortage of debate about the “smart” level of PG&E’s new SmartMeter. Whether the energy giant’s customers want it or not, it’s coming to almost 10 million PG&E patrons, and installation has begun in Mariposa County.

According to Paul Moreno, a PG&E spokesperson in Chico, SmartMeter installations are targeted to be made in Mariposa County beginning this month, and running through August.

Complaints concerning skyrocketing utility bills have plagued the project from its inception, but the California Public Utility Commission (PUC) stands firmly behind the process. In fact, in March last year, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), an independent consumer advocacy division of the PUC, opposed the commission’s decision approving a PG&E funding request to change its SmartMeter technology halfway through deployment. That decision awarded another $467 million, plus a guaranteed return from customers, on top of the $1.7 billion approved in 2006.

The issue vaulted into the media’s spotlight last November when customer complaints ballooned from Fresno to Bakersfield about spikes in utility costs, even in vacant and vacation residences.

That prompted State Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter) to call for a moratorium on Smart- Meter installations by the PUC. He didn’t accomplish that, but the PUC did agree to have the SmartMeters independently tested. The results are still pending. The same problems ignited in the Bay Area last fall.

Moreno says, “We haven’t found any issues of meter performance. We have done deep dives into thousands of customer complaints, and we’re happy to go out and test a meter. To date, we have tested 1,500 meters and they have all been accurate. They are certified at the factory.”

PG&E touts the new meters as a big advantage for customers since they will help technicians identify power outages, common in Mariposa County, more quickly. They will also allow repair personnel to determine if all residential power is back on in a particular area, or if delivery is spotty. However, that software hasn’t been installed for the SmartMeter system, so customers without power still need to pick up the telephone, if it works.

SmartMeters were designed to be read remotely, basically eliminating some 850 meter readers’ and supervisors’ jobs. A miniature radio, like a cell phone, transmits usage to a “data collector,” which forwards that information to PG&E through a secure wireless network.

PG&E contends that there are a number of factors that have led to the almost statewide utility cost increases, including: rate hikes, increased usage due to weather, changes in lifestyle, aging appliances that draw more power, and even house guests. But the complaints continue.

PG&E began mailing notices to Mariposa County residents earlier this month. It is announcing the forthcoming installations, but also alerting customers that may use sensitive medical equipment, since there is a power interruption for the installation. Those customers should call 1-866-743- 0263.

With the old meters, PG&E used, and still does, a tiered rate systems. Customers who use so many kilowatts pay a certain rate, until a specific plateau has reached, then a higher rate kicks in

By using the SmartMeters, the company will be able to read energy use at every residence and business in specific time periods, like between 2 and 7 p.m., when electricity usage peaks daily. That ability may spell the end of the tiered rate structure.