SMART METERS...FRIEND OR FOE

Smart meter capabilities
A smart meter system allows for two-way communication between a customer and PG&E. The smart meters record energy use information daily. The technology allows for the meters to be read automatically without the need for a physical visit from one of PG&E’s meter readers. However for quality assurance purposes, after meters are installed, meter readers will continue to read meters for the next few months. In addition, customers will still need to allow PG&E access to the meters for maintenance and safety checks.

The two-way communication capability means PG&E will be able to better manage overall energy needs, implement “green” demand-response programs, quickly detect power outages as they happen, and offer enhanced customer services.

There has just been a startling admission from PG&E about the controversial Smart Meters. The utility has insisted its new meters are accurate, but have admitted to some problems at a state Senate committee hearing in 2010.

PG&E confirmed that more than 43,000 of its Smart Meters have suffered from various problems. The utility remains insistent however that these problems have had little impact on customers' bills.

The Senate's new Select Committee on the Smart Grid called PG&E's senior vice president of customer relations as its first witness. Helen Burt told the committee only a handful of customers had inaccurate SmartMeters.

This may be true, but we have only isolated one customer whose has felt that their electric consumption has remained the same or decreased since the Smart Meters have been installed.

PG&E has stated that the older meters were not measuring the customer's usage correctly. In many cases, the older meters were in fact under measuring the KWH usage. They also wanted to cut overhead by utilizing the smart technology that these meters enjoy.

Customers should keep a watchful eye on their usage this summer as with the new price increases at almost $.5o per KWH in tier 5, and smart meters potentially reading higher kilowatt hour usage, utility bills may be much higher this year over previous years.