PG&E Customer Revolt Over Meters May Slow Deployment of Obama's Smart Grid

[Purveyor]

By Mark Chediak

Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Consumer backlash and cost concerns may cause delays in the nationwide rollout of “smart” utility meters at the center of the Obama administration’s $8 billion push to update the U.S. electricity grid.

PG&E Corp., owner of California’s largest utility, halted meter installations in Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles, after hundreds of customers complained that readings weren’t accurate. The meters, part of a so-called smart-grid initiative billed as clearing the way for more renewable-energy use, are designed to help consumers conserve power during periods of peak demand.

Martha Johnson, pastor of a church in Bakersfield, said her utility bill almost doubled from a year earlier to $874 in July after her new meter was installed. “That caught my eye because I’ve never had a bill that high,” said Johnson, 64.

San Francisco-based PG&E, which faces a lawsuit from a Bakersfield customer who’s seeking class-action status, says its meters are accurate and hot weather and increased rates led to higher bills than consumers expected. The state Utilities Commission ordered an independent study of billing accuracy.

Whether PG&E’s complaints stem from perception or defects, they may slow U.S. installations of the meters, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s plan to spur grid upgrades with $8 billion in public-private funding. Consumer groups question whether benefits of the meters justify costs passed on when regulators allow utilities to increase rates to pay for them.

Regulator Reluctance

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BLOOMBERG: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aR9dlqyk._NI&pos=7

[hedgehog]

1. Are people being charged more for using power at peak times,

and if so, are they aware of this? Were the rates adjusted to compensate? Are people charged less for power used at other times?

[msongs]

2. rooftop solar NOT controlled by PG&E corporate thieves nt

[PM Martin]

3. These things must never be rushed to the market.

Even though they are.

[cornermouse]

4. kick

[NavyMom]

5. Bill White in Houston made Centerpoint install in Houston about 2 years

ago BUT he made them phase them in, give customers rebate and include comparisons from the previous years. If you noted your usage with the smart meters was much more than the previous years they had to correct your billing, Centerpoint got so bad that a lot of people changed providers, then all of a sudden bills seemed to be more accurate.

After Hurricane Ike he pointed out that if the smart grid was in place then the people of Houston would not be without electricity for days, weeks or months in such hot weather, he pushed smart grid through using this analogy and limited the amt they could charge for the meter and could only charge THEIR customers.