PG&E Proposes Smart Meter Opt-Out Plan

San Francisco, CA– After years of insisting SmartMeters were the only option for PG&E customers, now the utility company has changed its position.

This week PG&E asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to give customers a choice to use traditional analog, mechanical meters.

This latest decision marks the utility’s biggest concession to SmartMeter opponents, many who believe wireless devices are a health threat.

PG&E says that the meters are safe.

“Some customers remain concerned about SmartMeter technology and want alternatives,” said Helen Burt, PG&E’s Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “Through comments to us and the CPUC, they are clear that an analog meter is the option they prefer to address their unease with wireless technology.”

The CPUC is expected to issue its SmartMeter opt-out decision soon. That decision will likely ask customers who opt-out of the program to pay an initial fee and a monthly charge to cover the costs of manual meter reading and other associated operational and billing issues.

The commission could vote on the proposal as early as January 12.