SACRAMENTO — State regulators will allow the Southern California Gas Co. to charge customers more than $1 billion for new meters that will allow them to see how much gas they’re using.
The board on Thursday said the utility can install radio-controlled "smart” meters in 6 million homes and charge customers 70 cents a month for 25 years. The meters would be phased in beginning in 2012.
Opponents said the meters are unnecessary and would eliminate 1,000 meter-reading jobs.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. began rolling out smart meters for gas and electricity last year in Northern and Central California but there have been problems. Customers have complained about sudden spikes in monthly electric bills. The PUC and the state Senate are investigating.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.