Don't want a SmartMeter? PG&E would like to hear from you by May 1

◼ "We want to know how many opt-outs we really have," Burt said in an interview. "But May 1 is not the end of this process. Customers can opt-out, or opt-in, at any time." - Dana Hull/San Jose Mercury News & Megan Hansen/Times-Standard

State regulators with the California Public Utilities Commission in February approved a controversial opt-out plan that requires consumers who want to keep their old, analog meters to pay a one-time $75 fee and a monthly charge of $10. Low-income customers will pay an initial fee of $10 and a monthly charge of $5.

Activists who have been fighting against SmartMeter installations have vowed to continue protests against the fees. PG&E says the fees cover the costs of re-installing analog meters on homes that have SmartMeters but want to switch back, as well as the cost of paying workers to read the analog meters each month. More at the link.

At a glance: SmartMeter opt out
To opt-out of PG&E's SmartMeter program
Call PG&E's SmartMeter hotline at 866-743-0263
Go to ◼ http://www.pge.com/myhome/customerservice/smartmeter/optout/