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Smart Utility Meters Cause Problems

Meters that tell home owners how much power they are using hour by hour aren’t making all users happy.

For instance, Pacific Gas & Electric, which installed 4 million sophisticated meters at $250 a piece, has encountered hundreds of angry customers who say that the meters overstate the amount of power they have consumed. In response, the California Public Utilities Commission has agreed to investigate. PG&E blames the higher bills on a hot summer.

In Connecticut, the governor has gotten involved, saying consumers shouldn’t have to pay the cost of meter installation before savings are obvious. In Texas, the public utility counsel forced utilities to pay for public education and to subsidize an in-home display so home owners are aware of what they are paying for.

Source: The New York Times, Matthew L. Wald (12/14/2009)