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Hearings on Smart Meters The California Public Utilities Commission will have two hearings this month in Southern California regarding Smart Meters: “Smart Meter Opt-Out Phase 2.” The hearings will be held on Mon., Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m., Junipero Serra State Office Building, 320 West 4th St., Los Angeles, and Tues., Dec. 18, 6:00 p.m., San Clemente Community Center, Ole Hanson Fireside Room, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente. These hearings are rare opportunities for citizens to have a voice and express their concerns directly to the CPUC. Meeting agenda issues: 1. Raise the Opt-Out Fees: Southern California Edison wants an outrageous initial Opt-Out fee of $98 plus $24 per month (discounted 20% for CARE) claiming the Opt-Out program will cost a staggering $21 million for the next few years. Are these valid costs? 2. Impose an Additional Opt-Out "Exit" Fee: Since 2008, all customers have paid 1.6% of their monthly bills towards the Smart Meter program, which includes the cost of installing a Smart Meter. SCE would like to charge this fee again. 3. Validity of Opt-Out Fees: SCE wants to pass the entire cost of the Opt-Out program directly on to those that will use it - the Opt-Out customers. Thus, an Opt-Out customer pays for two billing systems: a Smart Meter AND an Opt-Out. How many meters and billing systems should a customer have to pay for? 4. Vary Fees Based on Meter Type: The CPUC is considering imposing different Opt-Out fees based on the type of electric meter chosen. Remember, their goal is to have 100% Smart Meters. Thus, those customers keeping their old "analog" meters could potentially pay higher fees than those who allow a Trojan Horse Replacement "Analog" Meter to be installed. 5. Community Opt-Outs: How do entire communities or local governments Opt-Out of the Smart Meter program? Or perhaps the CPUC should ask why these controversial Smart Meters were deployed without customer consent in the first place. 6. Smart Meter Harassment: Their goal is to have 100% compliance with the Smart Meter program, at any cost. Will they continue harassment of customers with threats of price increases and forced installations until everyone complies? 7. For more information, see the California Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, Stop Smart Meters and the Center for Electrosmog Prevention websites. Anyone who is unable to attend these hearings may submit written comments to the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at the address below. Please refer to the application filing number, A.11-03-014 et al, when writing. Request a response to receive one; otherwise no response will be sent. Comments will become part of the formal file for public comment in these proceedings. The Public Advisor’s Office will circulate comments to the five Commissioners, the ALJ, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), and to CPUC staff assigned to this proceeding. Citizens may also write to the CPUC for advice on how to participate in this proceeding or to receive further notices regarding the date, time, and place of any future hearing in this proceeding: The Public Advisor E-Mail: Public.Advisor@cpuc.ca.gov Note the hearings are the week before Christmas. Is the scheduling not suspect with so many activities during the same week for those celebrating Christmas? An organization of concerned citizens in Orange County can be reached at Stop OC Smart Meters, P.O. Box 685, Tustin, CA 92781 |
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