Hearing on Smart Meters

Mission Viejo activist Bruce forwarded the letter below, adding “If you opted out of Southern California Edison’s Smart Meter program, I encourage you to attend the California Public Utilities Commission meeting this coming Tuesday evening if at all possible and state your objection(s) to Smart Meters and the fees imposed for opting out. (Current cost to opt out: $70 initially + $10 per month.) If you did not opt out, you can expect time-of-day metering (i.e., higher rate for hours of heavy use) followed by government intrusion into your electricity usage. I have chosen to opt out and I feel the cost to do so is not justified, so I will be among those objecting.”

Dear Friends Against Smart Meters,

It has been less than a year, and So. Cal. Edison (SCE) is already requesting to increase the opt-out fees.....REALLY! Is this just the first of many increases, until it is so expensive, we are forced to get a Smart Meter. Opt-out increases are just one of the issues (see Phase II issues below) the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering during the 2nd Phase for evaluating the future of Smart Meters.

The CPUC is having five Public Hearings to give people the rare opportunity to voice their Smart Meter concerns. The hearing that Stop OC Smart Meters is focusing on will be held Tues., Dec. 18.

The meeting details are:
Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 6:00 p.m.
San Clemente Comminity Center - Ole Hanson Fireside Room
100 North Calle Seville
San Clemente, CA 92672

It is outrageous that they have planned these hearings so close to the holiday. They know people are busy or traveling this time of year, so is this their strategy to ensure that not many folks show up? Let's show them we are willing to fight for what is right, even during the holidays!

IMPORTANT: If we do not have a large number of people at this hearing, it will further empower SCE to continue to steamroll out anything they want, now and in the future.

Two important questions:

1. Can we count on you to be at the hearing?
2. Can you help us in this effort?

Examples:

Speak at the hearing - 2 minute limit
Just show up at the hearing.....Large numbers make a statement
Email the CPUC with complaints and concerns this week
Post on Facebook
Twitter
Call the press in your community

Please forward this email to others who oppose Smart Meters. Please let us know if you can help....we really need you!!

Thank you,
Cindy and Maureen
Stop OC Smart Meters

PHASE 2 ISSUES INCLUDE:

1. Should more than one opt-out option be offered to customers who do not wish to have a wireless Smart Meter? Should different fees be assessed based on the type of opt-out meter selected by the customer and, if so, what is an appropriate level for such fees?
2. Should all costs associated with the opt-out option be paid by only those customers electing the option, or should some portion of these costs be allocated to all ratepayers and/or to utility shareholders?
3. What fees should be assessed on customers who elect the opt-out option and should the fees be assessed on per meter of per location basis?
4. Should there be an "exit fee" imposed on customers who elect the opt-out option and later return to a wireless Smart Meter?
5. Should the opt-out option be extended to local governments and communities?