PG&E proposes charging customers to opt out of Smart Meter program

[The Straight Story]

PG&E proposes charging customers to opt out of Smart Meter program


PG&E has proposed charging residential customers to opt out of having wireless transmission of electric meters turned off at their homes.

The proposal announced Thursday would allow the utility to recoup the expenses it says are associated with running an opt-out program by charging participating customers. The utility has come up with a rate program with one-time charges of either $135 or $270, plus either monthly fixed charges or a surcharge on hourly rates for gas and electric.

Opponents of the wireless devices objected to the fees and instead called for an outright moratorium on Smart Meters. They previously requested that they have the option to opt-out, citing perceived health impacts from the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the pulsating meters. But PG&E’s proposal offered little consolation.

“It’s extortion,” said Sandi Maurer, founder of the Sebastapol-based EMF Safety Network. “It’s discrimination, as well, against poor people. They can’t afford the opt-out so they have to be exposed. It’s discrimination against sick people and the uneducated.”

http://www.wayoutwestnews.com/2011/03/24/pge-proposes-charging-customers-to-opt-out-of-smart-meter-program/

[ananda]

1. Boy, that's quite a scam on the part of PG&E.

What we have lost due to deregulation just boggles the mind.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. The scammers are the EMFphobes

[WingDinger]

9. SHILL!!!!!!!!!!, smart will charge you for things you havent dreamed of yet.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. You forgot the sarcasm tag

or you are overdosed on hyperbole.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. The EMF crowd is a scam...right up there with the anti vaxers

If they are incurring extra costs upon the public utility, there is no reason the rest of us should pay to support their false fears. Charge them what it costs if they want to indulge this.

[msongs]

4. PG&E is NOT a public utility, it's a private corporation. If IT wants smart meters let IT pay for

them. Smart meters are just another way to screw customers as they provide no benefit to customers.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Not true. It is a public utility licensed and regulated by the PUC

(Public Utilities Commission). Rates and charges must be approved. It is also a private company but its ownership structure does not determine if it is a public utility.

[ET Awful]

6. Ummmm. . . . they aren't charging customers for the meters, they're charging customers who do NOT

use the meters and thus cause extra expense by need someone to go out and read the meter instead of having the data transmitted electronically.

[WingDinger]

10. For now. It will be used to charge you up your WAZOO.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. What is a WAZOO?

Seriously...they are water meters. Rates are subject to PUC approval. What is your real concern?

[bbgrunt]

7. yep, and those who want to opt out of

being chipped as a method of ID should also be charged. And those who refuse the xray exams at airports should have to pay extra to be physically assaulted. And those who want to avoid GMO foods should pay, pay, pay for the inefficiencies that extra labeling costs. Hell, anyone who demands a 5 day work week must be charged for that luxury. And anyone objecting to child labor laws should also be taxed more to make up for the lower prices that come with slave labor.

We must preserve corporate determined efficiencies at all costs!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. Nice hyperbole, but unconvincing at best

The wireless meters were approved by the PUC as a long term rate savings. Those who choose not to use them should pickup the additional costs. There is no demonstrated problem with the EMF.

[Gormy Cuss]

19. What "additional costs?" At best, refusing a smartmeter reduces savings from current costs

and since this is the same company that conveniently can't find records related to the San Bruno gas pipeline that went boom recently I seriously doubt that PG&E can demonstrate that the suggested rates for opt-outs are anything but punitive.


eta: I'm positive that this scheme to charge exorbitant fees for opt out is going to be a public relations nightmare for PG & E.

[ET Awful]

16. What a load of non sequitur hogswallop

I'm not exactly sure how you equate implementing a system that eliminates the need for a meter reader to drive all over town (thus adding costs for the driving, adding to air pollution, etc.) and charging people who refuse to use said system for the added cost of their refusal with any of the far fetched mumbo jumbo you spouted.

Let's see, if these meters are in place, there is no need to pay for a meter reader, the vehicle said person would drive to read the meters, the fuel for the vehicle, thus reducing overall costs. If only a small percentage of people decide to go against this greatly simplified and streamlined process, they exponentially increase the costs of service.

Just for the hell of it, let's say that a meter reader, the vehicle, the fuel, etc. comes out to a (very conservative estimate here) cost of $75,000 per year.

Now, if overall, that expense is now unnecessary, but due to some people deciding they don't want these meters, let's say they have to add 4 meter readers, who should pay for that extra $300,000 a year?

[bbgrunt]

18. the cost/benefit analysis is dependent on those

wanting such meters being absolutely 100% sure that there are no side effects of this kind of monitoring. Just like nuclear plants being guaranteed safe. Just like "scientific" studies guaranteeing the safety of new medicines. I do believe that much of "science" that is used for convincing us of the safety and efficacy of things business will make profits from is corrupted by the same process our political system is corrupted by.

So proclaim your absolute certainty that science has PROVEN these meters to be safe.

For me, I will continue with my luddite attitudes because I know that profit interests will prevail regardless of "science".....and any added profit will not be shared in terms of lower prices to customers. (oh, don't look how ATM machines are becoming a major profit center for banks--they save labor costs too)

[Rage for Order]

14. My guess is they don't actually believe the EMF is doing harm

It's being used as a convenient excuse to attack the (not so) smart meters

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Yes they do...read their site

Then google and see how what they claim has been debunked.

[ipfilter]

11. This reminds me of the electronic water meters our city installed.

Half the cranks in town were convinced the new meters were going to emit dangerous waves and the city manager would know when they are taking a shower.

[3lyford]

17. It seems like a silly concern

But if someone were allegedly running a grow house they might not want it. Although I guess a personal meter reading would cause them the same trouble either way.

[octothorpe]

20. I think this is lame on PGE's part, but wtf is with shit about EMF?

Seriously?