Smart Meter Opt-Out Update

by Judy Vick

This is a short follow-up from the article previously published in the SLO Coast Journal.

When the City of Morro Bay, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, the County Health Commission, and the cities of SLO, Grover Beach, and Arroyo Grande took formal action to urge the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to provide consumers with an opt out from the PG&E wireless smart meter program, many of us were relieved.  We had been fighting for this option to protect our privacy, security, health, and property.  By our local governments joining 40+ other cities and counties in California in resisting mandatory installation, the CPUC directed PG&E to come up with an opt-out option, which PG&E did.  As it stands now, the CPUC is considering PG&E's proposed opt-out plan and will provide consumers with final plan in the near future. 

On April 26, PG&E agreed to honor customers requests to not install a wireless smart meter until the opt-out option is finalized and made available to the public. However, as has been stated repeatedly, you must call PG&E ( 1-866-743-0263) to request that PG&E not install a smart meter.  Make sure PG&E provides you with a confirmation number for your request.  After the opt-out program is in place, PG&E will contact you to determine whether you still want to opt-out, given the final opt-out plan.  You may have to be persistent with the PG&E representative you talk with, as there are reports that the PG&E representatives may try to talk you into installation.  If you encounter problems retaining your old analog meter, and a wireless smart meter is installed despite request to not install, contact the CPUC to complain.  Send email to  California Public Utilities Commission.

It is also a good idea to post a note to installers. Installers are motivated to install because they are paid per installation. Post a note on your front door and on your existing utility meters (electric, gas, and water, as wireless smart meters are planned for all of our utilities).

Sample note:

DO NOT INSTALL WIRELESS SMART METERS, HOMEOWNER IS PURSUING LEGAL CPUC OPT OUT OPTION TO PROTECT PRIVACY, SECURITY, HEALTH AND PROPERTY.

Also, please forward this information to others.

Judy Vick is the EMF Safety Network Representative for San Luis Obispo County.

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