Grass Valley/Sacramento/Sierra Foothills - For the better part of this year I have reported on numerous meetings and hearings on the accuracy of Pacific Gas & Electric's Statewide rollout of "Smartmeters" and, for some, the resulting bills that, in my opinion, simply defied logic.

Just a week ago I received my own notice from PG&E that I had long dreaded; I would be getting my "own" meter upgraded to a "Smartmeter" within a few weeks (I reside in the Sierra Foothills near Grass Valley, CA).

Immediately I recalled my reporting and what a nightmare the "Smartmeters" had caused for many. I wondered what the status of the use and billing problems were. Had they been resolved?

Surely they have!

Well, .......

Senator to call Structure Group to Legislative Hearing

SACRAMENTO - Senator Dean Florez today attended the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting in San Francisco where the Structure Group released it's much anticipated study of Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) smart meter program. The study was commissioned by the PUC following numerous complaints of inaccurate billing following smart meter installation.

"I believe this report raises more questions than answers. I was especially surprised at the limited number of customer complaints that were reviewed. I'm also concerned that there were no industry standard established prior to smart meters being placed on residents' homes," said Florez

"I think it is key that we take the time now to have an extensive and detailed hearing on Structure's work product. So far what is missing from the report is any sense that this was a true 'investigation' as opposed to a review of PG&E's smart meters."

"I plan to convene a hearing soon and possibly assemble a panel of experts to ensure that what is being reported by Structure meets the standard of inquiry expected by ratepayers. But bottom line, I'm not satisfied with what I have learned so far about what has been presented by the PUC and Structure at this point," stated Florez

Hopefully, I will not need to call my own elected official after I get my next "envelope" from PG&E. I will be watching the mailbox for each new bill for the next few months.

You might want to consider doing the same!