FEES TO READ NON-SMART METERS TO END AFTER 3 YEARS

East Count Magazine News Service

February 28, 2015 (San Diego) – Utility ratepayers who have been paying a monthly fee for opting out of having a smart meter will soon get a reprieve.

The California Public Utilities Commission has issued a Decision on Dec. 19, 2014, that smart meter opt-out customers will have to pay the current additional fees for only the first three years of each customer's opt-out.

The fees were intended to cover the cost of reading analog meters. The current fees are capped at present levels. In addition, to reduce program costs, analog meters will be read every other month, and estimated in between, effective immediately.

Consumers should check records to confirm the date that an opt-out program began—and notify your utility company (SDG&E for San Diego ratepayers) if three years after opting out, the fee for your smart meter is not removed from your utility bill, advises the Center for Electrosmog Prevention which fought on behalf of consumers for the removal of these fees.

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