Senator Dean Florez met with hundreds of frustrated PG&E customers Monday night at a hearing with the company and the public utilities commission.
The customers, outraged by PG&E's SmartMeters and high power bills, filled the Board of Supervisors Chambers. SmartMeters were the chief complaint.
The utility admitted it did a poor job in notifying customers about a recent rate increase in March.
PG&E has a budget of 23 million dollars for marketing and communications.
Florez was surprised to learn that PG&E has checked less than 50 of the some 250-thousand meters installed in Kern County to verify their accuracy.
"That concerns me," Florez said, "and it should concern you too."
Florez is asking for a written letter from PG&E, with answers to questions he felt he never got.
He also suggested that an independent firm be hired to verify the accuracy of the utility's smart meters. PG&E says they want to work with their customers, and that their office in Bakersfield has customer service representatives ready to help.
