By the time you read this, it will be the last day PG&E gives you to opt-out of its SmartMeter program and I advise you to call PG&E today to be sure you are on the opt-out list. This applies to those who may have opted-out online.
Additionally, unless a sticker has been placed on your meter by PG&E indicating your opt out choice, PG&E might tell you that they can”t guarantee you won”t get a SmartMeter. So it”s time to pick up the phone and it”s worth the wait. The number to call is: 866-743-0263. Bypass the automated system by pressing zero and get connected to a live operator to be sure your request is logged.
I have read reports from every area in California where SmartMeters were installed and bills have skyrocketed. Even more troubling news that I have read some customers claim to have developed health conditions such as migraine headaches, dizziness, insomnia and other neurological disorders.
PG&E maintains that SmartMeters are perfectly safe.
My research finds that to date, 56 California local governments, 11 counties and 44 cities, including Lake County, Lakeport, Clearlake and the Big Valley Rancheria tribal community of Pomo Indians, have opposed PG&E”s mandatory SmartMeter program.
From what I understand, PG&E was allocated $2.2 billion to roll out SmartMeters in California. That”s the largest SmartMeter installation in North America.
According to my research, PG&E is invested in two types of mining: Coal and data. I looked up the damage the PG&E operated Boardman Coal Plant did to Oregon”s lakes and national forests dumping five million tons of carbon dioxide annually in to the environment.
By data mining, examine the fine print among the inserts that were mailed to you with your utility bill.
The little item called the Customer Data Access Application decision permits PG&E “to provide third party access to a customer”s energy usage data.” From what I gather, they get to sell the data they collect on you and then charge you for collecting it.
I also read that PG&E asked the CPUC for $19.4 million in additional rate increases through 2016 to help pay for the data collection program.
For more information about SmartMeters, the following websites offer a reliable source of information: www.stopsmartmeters.org, www.emfsafetynetwork.org, www.smartmeterdangers.org, www.fightthefees.org.
Howard Glasser
Kelseyville
