BREAKING NEWS

Historic CPUC Decision Signals Victory for
Consumers in Smart Meter Battle
Approved PG&E Smart Meter Opt-Out Proposal includes Consumer Demands for
Analog Meter Retention & Restoration as Open Option and
Reduced Opt-Out Monthly Fees for Opt-Out Customers
Phase 2 Proceeding will discuss Community & MDU Opt-Outs & Other Issues

PG&E Decision Considered Smart Meter Opt-Out Model;
SCE Opt-Out Proposal Up Next
In a historic decision recognizing the rights of consumers, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 4-0 to approve the Decision in the PG&E Smart Meter Opt-Out proceeding. The landmark Ruling follows over a year of protests and controversy focused on the unresolved and proven risks of smart meters, including health hazards, privacy and identity theft potential, cumulative environmental impacts, unreasonable skyrocketing bills, personal and national security, the folly of the rush to deploy a complex grid and austere rationing of energy.

Consumers Power Alliance (CPA), a state-wide coalition that began in July 2011 following the County of Santa Barbara’s decision to request Opt-Outs for all its residents, took a lead role in challenging the prior decision of the CPUC that ordered smart meter deployment to be mandatory. The organization engaged Tobin Law Group and took legal action to stop mandatory deployment and submitted litigation to secure Opts-Out as the right of Freedom of Choice in the cases of both PG&E and SCE.

CPA’s Vice President, Calabasas resident, Liat Samouhi, commented “This is a significant victory and a giant step for consumers, but there is more work to be done. We fully expect the CPUC will require that SCE implement an Opt-Out Plan that, at the very least, complies with the PG&E Decision’s directives and contains the analog alternative, and a similar investigation of the community opt out and cost issues being explored in Phase 2 of the PG&E case."

Local Montecito resident Irene Kopel, a CPA member, commented, “We are pleased with this Ruling because it proves that citizens can still make a difference. Due process is still alive and well in America. Our rights are being restored by the vigilant actions of organizations like CPA and legal advocates like our extraordinary attorney, Mr. Jim Tobin. The CPUC and the utilities over-reached. We are looking forward to more solutions that fully respect and benefit consumers. After all, we pay the bills.”

Following two hours of public testimony at their San Francisco Headquarters, the CPUC voted for the below provisions:

• Consumers may select the analog meter Opt-Out Option for “any reason or no reason.”
• Fees for Opting Out have been drastically lowered to $75 set-up fee, $10 per month, and for CARE & FERA customers $10 upfront and $5 per month.
• A prehearing conference to discuss the scope and schedule of this second phase will be scheduled within 45 days of the date this decision is issued. The assigned Commissioner will issue an amended scoping memo to reflect the new issues and schedule.
• PG&E has been instructed to contact customers to let them know they have meter Options, so the Delay Install Program is no longer necessary. Customers on the Delay Install List will be able to retain their analog meter or request analog meter restoration.

Consumers Power Alliance has been has been successfully represented in its litigation regarding smart meters by Jim Tobin of Tobin Law Group.

Media Contacts:

Jim Tobin - 415.732.700
Liat Samouhi - 818.591.2336
Irene Kopel - 805-969-2025

Thank you for your support.
www.consumerspoweralliance.com

Consumers Power Alliance (CPA) is a coalition of concerned citizens and organizations, dedicated to the promotion and support of America's safe, reliable, cost-efficient and secure energy production, supply and delivery systems, who have banded together to oppose the deployment of the smart meter program and the global smart grid.