SDG&E Smart Meters a "huge headache"

SDG&E Smart Meters a "huge headache"

 by Charles Langley

This 10NEWS story by Bob Lawrence marks the installation of the one-millionth smart electric meter with footage of a masked SDG&E employee swapping out an analog electric meter. SDG&E claims that they've only had a "few" complaints, but UCAN has received quite a few. Are you concerned ? Find out what you can do to monitor the new Smart Meters.

Yesterday, reporter Bob Lawrence of 10NEWS San Diego, reported that the one-millionth smart meter has been installed by SDG&E. A spokesperson for SD&GE noted that there were "few instances" of complaints, but the truth is that UCAN has received quite a "few" about Smart Meters through its MeterWatch Program. You can participate in MeterWatch by clicking here.

Oddly, the ABC footage showed an anonymous SDG&E employee at work on what is presumably the one-millionth meter. And for reasons we can't fathom, this employee is dressed up like a bandit. Go figure. You can watch the 10NEWS story with the "meter bandit" here and listen to UCAN's newest board member, Elliott Becker pronounce the deployment as a "massive headache." Mr. Becker was one of 30,000 people who received a malfunctioning meter in May of 2010. SDG&E siad it was a software problem but replaced the hardware anyway. 

In addition, UCAN Advocate Joshua Anaya, is concerned that many MeterWatch participants have documented big increases in their bills. This is a problem because SDG&E is destroying the old meters. That means there is no way of knowing way of tracking accuracy or software malfunctions.

Elliot Becker, one of 30,000 Smart Meter Victims

Joshua Anaya, Public Advocate, Project manager, UCAN MeterWatch

Read the 10NEWS story by Bob Lawrence or watch the video.  See also our Fall 2010 Watchdog for the story on how SDG&E botched the deployment of more than 30,000 Smart Meters. Worried about SDG&E's Smart Meters ?  Join UCAN's METERWATCH