SmartMeter Opt-Out 'Soft' Deadline Passes

PG&E set a "soft" deadline of May 1 for its SmartMeter opt-out program, but officials say that customers may still opt out even though the deadline has passed.

The utility company asked that its customers contact them to opt out by May 1 so that they could try to get an accurate count of how many refurbished analog meters they will need to supply to customers who oppose the installation of SmartMeters, spokesman Jeff Smith said.

"Customers can still opt out for any reason at any time in the future," Smith said. "We're basically trying to get a better idea of how many refurbished meters we'll need to buy and where they'll be needed."

Opponents of SmartMeters have argued that the meters emit harmful radiation, an argument that state and federal agencies say is not backed by science.

The California Public Utilities Commission in May unanimously approved PG&E's SmartMeter "opt-out" program, and said the potential negative health effects from SmartMeters had not been "identified or confirmed."

According to PG&E, 1,540 customers in San Francisco have so far opted out of the SmartMeter Program and elected to keep the older, more costly analog meters. About 2,430 customers in Santa Cruz County have already opted out.

Customers who opt out will be required to pay an upfront $75 fee and an ongoing $10 monthly fee to maintain the old meters, Smith said.

SmartMeters are meant to help reduce energy consumption by wirelessly monitoring usage. The metering systems are being installed as part of a nationwide "smart grid" in 25 states around the country, according to the CPUC.

Anyone wishing to opt out of SmartMeter service can get more information online at www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/smartmeter, or by calling PG&E at (800) 743-5000.

-Reporting by Bay City News