CPUC Directs SCE To File Opt-Out Proposal

October 12, 2011

In response to the Application of Consumers Power Alliance, et al., filed July 26, 2011, California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Administrative Law Judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa issued a Decision on October 11, 2011, that directs Southern California Edison (SCE) to file an Opt-Out Proposal within 14 days of the date it is adopted by the Commission, which will not be earlier than 30 days from the date the decision was rendered. Yesterday’s Decision was cheered by Santa Barbara County area residents concerned about the many-faceted hazards of the increasingly unpopular smart meters. On July 5th, they were buoyed by the unanimous vote of the County Board of Supervisors to request that the CPUC order that SCE and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) provide no-charge Opt-Outs to its residents.

Santa Barbara County is one of many municipalities that have filed similar requests with the CPUC, including the counties of San Luis Obispo, Marin, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, San Francisco, Tehama, and 36 cities, representing a total state-wide population of 2,695,947.

More communities are in the process of doing the same. “We are grateful that our plea for Freedom of Choice was heard by both the County and the CPUC,” commented Steve Thomas, a Santa Barbara resident and Consumers Power Alliance representative. “The Opt-Out was needed. Consumers rightly rebelled against coerced installation, especially of a product that gives out more trouble than benefits - from health problems to skyrocketing bills to imperiling national security.” The Judge also ruled that SCE is required to provide detailed cost and technological feasibility analyses for analog meters, wired SmartMeters, SmartMeters with no radio installed, and radio-off SmartMeters, and various other alternatives discussed at the September 14, 2011, Workshop.



The Decision follows a recent September 21st Ruling by CPUC President Michael Peevey that ordered SCE as well as PG&E to offer delayed installation programs for customers who do not want smart meters, wish to keep their analog meters and intend to Opt-Out, until the Opt-Out issue is resolved by the CPUC. Both utilities have complied, and customers can call to be added to the utilities’ Delay Install Lists, which create a moratorium on smart meter installation for Opt-Out customers. In addition, SCE workmen are making home visits to affix “Do Not Install SmartConnect” tags on Opt-Out customers’ meters, and PG&E is using robocalls to alert their customers to the opportunity.

If interested, customers should contact SCE at 800-810-2369, and PG&E at 877-743-7378. The numbers are toll-free.

www.stopsmartmeters.org.