PG&E SmartMeter Strong Arm Tactics

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PG&E SmartMeter Strong Arm Tactics

By: dgmacSubscribe Channel: News Location: Madera, CA Tuesday, Aug 3 , 10 at 3:06 PM

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PG&E SmartMeter
18 Comments

Hello, Douglas Macdonald here...

PG&E showed up at our home in Madera Ranchos to install their new SmartMeter.

Because of a local news story I had heard about Fresno Residents paying more since the SmartMeter's were installed, I refused.

Now PG&E has sent me a letter giving me 30 days to make an appointment to install the new SmartMeter equipment at my home.

I believe they are using strong arm tactics in a subtle way, because their letter to me continues with the following statement:

Until the new SmartMeter equipment is installed, future bills for service may be estimated because our Meter reading staff will no longer be reading the meter at the address listed.

After receiving their letter yesterday, I decided to do some homework of my own and I discovered that PG&E is being sued over SmartMeters in Bakersfield, CA.

It appears that Fresno is not alone when it comes to being overcharged by PG&E. It would appear that the only thing Smart about SmartMeter is how Smart they are for PG&E's Profits.

My question... Is this how they pay back the State of CA after receiving their Multi Billion dollar bail out from CA taxpayers?

Here's a small piece of the article I found here:

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/pge-sued-over-smart-meters-slows-down-bakersfield-deployment/
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PG&E Sued Over Smart Meters, Slows Down Bakersfield Deployment

Pacific Gas & Electric denies a lawsuit’s claims that smart meters are overcharging customers in Bakersfield. Still, it has slowed down smart meter deployments in the city.

When in doubt, sue – and slow down.

Pacific Gas & Electric has "paused" installing smart meters in the Bakersfield area because of complaints from residents that their new Pacific Gas & Electric smart meters are overcharging them. PG&E denies the allegations, noting that the rise in electricity bills some customers have seen come from other factors, such as regulator-approved rate hikes and air conditioning spikes during heat waves. Nonetheless, it has put a halt on new meters for now, utility spokesman Paul Moreno said Tuesday.
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Christine says ... on Thursday, Feb 4 at 2:49 PM

Another question to consider: How many jobs have been lost directly related to smart meters. Based on statement in letter about meters no longer being read.

dgmac says ... on Thursday, Feb 4 at 3:02 PM

Great question! The last thing we need to see in such a tough economy... more job losses?

podia says ... on Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:27 PM

Los Banos is on the list for smartless meter readers.I also hear of lawsuits regarding this reader.who can claim a difference in the readings if we are don't know how to read the meter to begin with.It is down to making $ for board forget the workers

Randy says ... on Friday, Feb 5 at 7:07 AM

Remember, you are under NO OBLIGATION to buy power from PG&E. You can have them remove your meter and use alternate sources (solar, etc) if you wish. You write your article like you are being forced to buy power from them and this is not true.

c says ... on Friday, Feb 5 at 11:40 AM

yes, there are alternative sources but you have to be able to afford them too!

p says says ... on Thursday, Feb 11 at 1:23 PM

I received the same letter. I also refused to let PG& E install a smart meter on my property, My gate is always locked. A few weeks ago I came home and noticed the Smart Meter was installed. They had to come over my fence to install the meter.

Marla says ... on Friday, Feb 12 at 8:11 PM

PG&E remains oblivous to their poles and equipment taken over by outsiders; altered records to cover up the evidence. Plenty of witnesses and photos to prove it. Behind the secret water diversion operation. www.myspace.com/marlalk4

? says ... on Saturday, Feb 13 at 9:12 AM

I was a mtr rdr for PG&E for 5years.They cant estimate a bill just because you deny access to installing a new mtr.Does the pulbic know that PGE had & installed faulty mtrs on homes.Their solution is to go back later and put in new model.

Timo says ... on Thursday, Feb 18 at 11:17 AM

I now have a smartgas meter, no pre-notice. The installer (PGE emply) made several statements about customers stealing from PGE. I filed a complaint w/PGE. They don't care. So I am now a theif? What alternatives do we have? At what cost?

Jackie says ... on Monday, Feb 22 at 1:05 PM

My PGE bill has dropped since the smart meter. This is in part due to the fact that I can log on to PGE and see my daily gas and electric use. This has helped me to be a more energy efficient use. I can see daily how much I use and tailor my useage

Ryan says ... on Tuesday, Mar 2 at 6:07 PM

I installed one of them Energizer Bunnies at my house and it is great.

JoeAnyone says ... on Tuesday, Mar 30 at 10:21 PM

After I got my new smart meter my bill doubled. I turned off my power at the main switch for three hours and my meter showed I used 10 kilowatts with nothing on?

George says ... on Saturday, May 22 at 4:47 PM

During the protests in Fresno, most people were complaining about their bills doubling. For me it quadrupled. It was $ 850 per month. This is crazy because my house uses much less utilities then most. 4months ago they disconected my power for nonpaym

gloria says ... on Thursday, Sep 2 at 10:02 AM

ever seen we had the smart meter installed--our electric has jumped from 250.00 to 825.00 a month; this is outrageous--how can I change this? We are in the process of disconnecting our a/c which is only 2 years old and other breakers off.

Mary says ... on Tuesday, Oct 26 at 8:29 AM

Doesn't anyone realize there has not been a study on the health effects of the radiation these new meters put out? Put a sign on your meter so they cannot install a "smart" one. Think about why they have called them "smart".

mtdrdr says ... on Tuesday, Dec 21 at 7:23 PM

well alot of us in bakersfield lost our meter reading job with pge

dann birgerers says ... on Monday, May 30 at 10:58 AM

Smart electric meters are safer than the mircowave oven. They do not emit microwaves, but very low frequency radio waves, no different than the FM radio waves that penetrate your body every second of your life. FM radio has never killed anyone.

Anonymous says ... on Sunday, Jul 10 at 3:11 PM

"What does "SMART" mean, Mummy?" "Well, darling, the letters stands for "SURVEILLANCE MONITORED ARTIFICIAL RADIATION TRANSMITTER".

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