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Opinion
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- Written by: Dan Felperin
How can that be? Is our regulated utility stealing from its customers?
It appears the answer is simple (NO!); but nonetheless tough to swallow. It seems that customers with old-style gear-driven (dumb) meters in many instances (obviously “many” evidenced by the large number of reported bill increases) have been aging overtime and as a result have slowed down according to meter reader sources.
When one considers the escalating, five-tiered electric rate structure and limited baseline kW-hr allotments, an affected customer with a newly installed (and finely calibrated) SmartMeter would likely see a significant increase in their electric costs since they would have historically been paying less for what they have actually used!
If you don’t like SmartMeters then that is even more reason to consider solar.
When you sign up for net metering (spinning your meter backwards), the utility installs a bidirectional meter calibrated roughly to +/- 2 percent accuracy.
There is currently no type of SmartMeter that can reliably spin both ways and track (peak, partial-peak and off-peak) times. Therefore the grid-tied solar customer-generator must have a hardwired (semi-smart) meter manually recorded monthly by a utility employee (job saving).
My sources tell me that it will be at least a couple of years before they can develop, test and deploy analogous (not analog) bidirectional (time-of-use) SmartMeters … or maybe not. Today, however, solar technology makes real (dollar) sense.
It is now very doable to swap your utility payment for no down payment (own the system); receive federal tax credits and accelerated equipment depreciation (businesses only).
What is the catch, you may ask? The property owner (or long-term lessee) must qualify for the loan (i.e. current on the taxes/mortgage payments). The solar loan payment is essentially covered by the monthly PG&E savings (maybe even positive cash flow)! Grid-tied solar photovoltaic is now a very affordable, clean energy technology that locks in lower electricity rates and high rates of return for the projected (30+)-year system life.
Dan (the Solar Man) Felperin lives in Cobb, Calif.
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- Written by: Howard Glasser
No matter how sheltered the California Public Utilities Commission may be, does this excuse it from abiding by the law where its actions would otherwise be judged as criminal?
Here of some examples of Pacific Gas & Electric's inexcusable transgressions where they have violated the public's sacred trust:
1. Pointing media to the PG&E Web site which had stated that 39,000 SmartMeters had been installed in Lake County when at that point in time, only 2,500 meters had actually been installed.
2. Declaring a “delay installation” list that customers can be placed on through the PG&E SmartMeter phone line and then ignoring the list and not enforcing it when it comes to SmartMeter installations.
3. Leading the public to believe that an opt-out position would be considered or provided down the line for those customers who choose to opt-out while concurrently beefing up installations of SmartMeters so that by the time this provision was there, it would be moot since the entire deployment would be considered “mission accomplished.” That's a shell game.
Regardless of the code that the CPUC cites as its operating guidelines, it’s clear that the CPUC is using its mandate as a shield to defend the commission against allegations that could hold water in court.
In matters where it can be shown that the public trust, health and welfare are disregarded and a state regulatory agency yields to industry’s demands while ignoring the people that it is chartered with protecting, I would think that the law provides recourse against such abuses of power.
No matter what the circumstances, the CPUC cannot hold itself above the law and where ethical and legal lines have been crossed, they should be held accountable to the people of California.
Howard Glasser lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Hiroshi Inomata
Since this tragedy, Californians throughout the state have joined with millions across the globe to extend their prayers and assistance to the Japanese people. How can we begin to thank everyone for so many calls, e-mails, donations and other forms of support?
On behalf of the people of Japan, please accept our deepest appreciation for your compassion and friendship. Japan will never forget this kindness during the difficult hours, days and months ahead.
Of course, Japan is challenged to manage a catastrophe of this unprecedented magnitude. Yet we are not alone. We are aided by the kindness of Americans, including approximately 20,000 US military personnel, the Coast Guard, and government experts from within many fields of nuclear crisis management and disaster relief. As we work together, it is my hope that we will be able to report good news sooner rather than later.
As the situation evolves, please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Once again, thank you, California.
Hiroshi Inomata is consul general of Japan in San Francisco.
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- Written by: Robert Stark
I also mentioned that to my knowledge every water customer of Lake County Special Districts has some version of a “smart water meter. Many of these may be read by a wandlike device that picks up the signal emanating from the meter box.
On the other hand, more modern water meters, which are installed in other local communities, provide a radio signal that is broadcast from the meter box directly to the meter reader’s vehicle.
I wonder if the various boards of directors asked for resident permission before these devices where installed. I wouldn’t think so, as they reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.
Oh, wait … better efficiency, that means higher cost to consumer, doesn’t it? As a matter of fact, the sales pitch from the meter manufacturers is higher accuracy means increased income. Of course I doubt if the local boards are conspiring to control your water use, or are they?
Robert Stark lives in Cobb, Calif.