SAN FRANCISCO -- PG&E is beginning to install new electric meters across the bay area called "smart meters.” The devices send power consumption data wirelessly to PG&E, eliminating the need for a meter reader.
But since the first smart meters went online in other parts of the state over a year ago, many customers have complained the devices aren't smart at all and in fact -- in some cases -- may be costing them dearly.
Leo and June Margosian are self-described frugal "light-switcher-offers" living in a
Fresno
townhouse where they don't turn on the air conditioning unless it gets toward 110 degrees.
Their July 2008
electricity bill was $27.28. Then PG&E installed a "smart meter."
Their bill for July 2009 summer rose to $102.96.
The couple pointed out they were actually out of town on
vacation for half of that month.
The rollout of smart meters has put many of those who are the first to get them on edge.
"Where'd they get the name 'Smart Meter'? Is it smart for me or smart for PG&E?" asked Leo Margosian.
In fact, recent meetings about the meters sparked protests with hundreds of people putting PG&E executives on the defensive.
Andrew Tang is one of those PG&E execs working in downtown San Francisco explaining the corporation's perspective.
"We have actually looked at hundreds of cases now and individually analyzed every case that people have brought to us," said Tang. "In every case, we've been able to track it back down to an anomaly. A combination of the hot weather and the fact that there were two recent billing increases passed through.”
Tang says the meters will save people money in the long term.
“It is an unfortunate coincidence that around the same time the other thing that changed was that the meter was replaced," said Tang.
PG&E said it is installing 12,000 to 15,000 meters every day and will have all 10 million of its customers on smart meters by spring of 2012.
The new meters measure gas and electric use just like old meters, but send the data back to PG&E electronically. That means some 900 PG&E meter readers will be losing their jobs.
The electronically collected data gets posted on a secure Web site where customers can see their own readings.
Customers and PG&E can see when most of the energy is burned, whether at peak times when gas and electricity are most expensive. Or non-peak when energy is cheaper.
Tang eagerly showed devices that he said customers will be able buy one day that will help manage energy use and save money.
“This is a simple, low-end device that basically would flash whether the price of electricity is high, medium or low," explained Tang.
That more than annoys Mark Toney, Executive Director of TURN a non-profit consumer advocacy group that has dogged PG&E for decades.
"Smart meters are costing California consumers $4.5 billion," said Toney.
PG&E officials countered that the total cost of the program is closer to $2.2 billion. Regardless, Toney said the hundreds of complaints in the valley are alarming.
"What we don't know is if the problem is in the meter, in the broadcast -- the communication broadcast from the meter -- to the substation that collects the data, from the substation to the PG&E headquarters,” said Toney. “We don't know if it's in the software that disaggregates the data."
He added there are also real concerns about security breaches that might allow unauthorized access to people's utility usage.
"How will people feel when they learn that with this data that anyone with access to the smart meter data can tell what time you get up, when you have a shower, when you cook breakfast [and] when you leave home for work? When your kids get home from school, when you get home and cook dinner, when you turn on the TV, when you go to bed and when you are on vacation?" asked Toney.
PG&E officials allow they might do a better job of winning customer confidence.
"We agree that there are some issues to be sorted out who can get access to your utility data," said Tang.
The first Bay Area meters have been already installed in parts of Contra Costa and Southern Alameda County and some people are happy with the change.
"I like it,” said Shelly Peterson of Castro Valley. “I like to know what our usage is when it is."
Peterson said her bill has remained mostly the same, but that times have changed.
"As a community, we can't continue to build big power plants just to handle to those peak periods," said Peterson.
The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to vote this Friday in favor of commissioning an independent investigation of those PG&E smart meters and the effect they may be having on customers’ bills.
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