California energy consumers have been complaining more and more about their steep monthly bills.  The complaints have prompted Dean Florez, a Democratic state Senator from Shafter, California, to ask if Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) smart meter program is worth the money.

Florez has also threatened to oppose the confirmation of two members to the state’s Public Utilities Commission, California’s regulatory arm.  The state Senator spoke at a press conference held inside his office in Bakersfield.  He said he was unsure if PG&E or the PUC was more to blame for high energy prices.

Florez said that his phones have been “ringing off the hook” with constituents complaining about energy prices.  As the Senate majority leader, Florez’ opinions are guaranteed to be heard and considered by state lawmakers. 

He invited local PG&E customers to bring their bills to a hearing he has scheduled to be held in Bakersfield early in October.  He expects representatives of PG&E, the PUC, and consumer advocate groups to attend as well.  The hearing is designed to resolve the bickering between PG&E and the PUC over who is responsible for high energy costs.  Some customers have complained that their bills are three times what they were last summer.

Florez also wants PG&E to provide proof that a single customer has been able to save money with a smart meter.  The new meters are designed to help consumers become active participants in how they use energy by providing information in real time.  Florez also wants to establish how much of the cost is being passed on to customers.  Across California the cost has been estimated at $2.2 billion.  The upgrade blanketed Bakersfield this summer.

PG&E issued a statement on September 24 that said its customers could save money using smart meters by managing their energy usage better when smart meter communications go online in 2010.  The release said that rates have not changed.

“The SmartMeter program does not change rates, but it does provide customers with detailed energy usage data to help them understand how they are using energy,” said PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles.  Boyles also explained that the smart meters will generate savings that will more than cover the cost of running the program over a twenty year period.  Doing so will keep the utility from seeking rate increases.

Boyles added that customers who opt to enroll in PG&E’s SmartRate program can save money by conserving energy during times of peak consumption.  He said that 87 percent of active participants in the program have been successful.  The spokesman said that customers enrolled in the program for a year can get credited for any difference between what they paid and what their total bill would have been had they not enrolled in the program.

Customers are encouraged to contact the utility if they have questions about their bill or if they want to get their smart meter audited.

Florez questioned the PUC about the rate increase it approved for PG&E in March of 2009.  He said he didn’t know when the increase was implemented in the Bakersfield area but if it was done so just in time for the summer months then it would be a “hot time” for the two commissioners who are seeking reappointments before legislators this year.  The PUC declined to comment on the subject.

Pacific Gas & Electric

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