State Senator Dean Florez is demanding answers from Pacific Gas & Electric and the Public Utilities Commission regarding a delay in testing SmartMeters for accuracy. Florez says he wants PG&E to come clean about why these SmartMeters are costing consumers so much more than their old meters.Bakersfield resident Liz Keogh has kept meticulous records of each PG&E bill for 26 years. Ever since PG&E installed a SmartMeter in her home, her utility bill has just about doubled. “Of course I'm angry,” Keogh said. “I'm thinking there's something screwy going on here.”
Florez agrees. Monday he held a news conference calling for the PUC to finally start testing the Smart Meters for accuracy, through an independent third party. He says that’s something the PUC promised to do five months ago. “Our only protection against PG&E is for the PUC to do its job and the PUC should be reigning in PG&E,” Florez said.
Florez also wants PG&E to “set the record straight” as to why the SmartMeters are causing people's bills to go up. PG&E officials have publicly given at least two explanations, including that the old meters were measuring energy use wrong, or that all of the meters are accurate, but individuals are just using more energy.
“I have never met a corporation that can look people in the eye without even a blink and lie to them about what it is they're doing,” Florez said. “These SmartMeters, in my opinion, need to be tested.”
In the meantime, Keogh has no choice but to pay what PG&E's SmartMeter charges. “The longer they put off the testing, the longer they put off the resolution of this, the more money PG&E makes,” Keogh said.
PUC spokesperson Terrie Prosper e-mailed 17 News the following response:
"We are required to adhere to government contracting requirements, which means that we conducted a competitive solicitation that included reviewing materials presented, selecting a short list, interviewing separate firms, evaluating their cost bids, conducting reference checks, and negotiating to finalize the contract. We recognize the urgent need to begin this investigation, and have been expediting the process as much as possible within the confines of our competitive bidding requirements."
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the PUC will be announcing an independent evaluator to investigate the SmartMeter program by the end of the week.
PG&E spokesman Danny Boyles said the higher utility bills are likely due to increased rates, increased usage or for letting low-income rate reduction programs expire.
