This was just announced by PG&E today. In simple terms,  residential gas rates will increase by 2.4 percent effective June 1st. Electricity rates to remain the same for the rest of the year.

After numerous complaints about the health hazards from the new PG&E SmartMeters, PG&E has finally issued guidelines for customers who want to say no.

The SmartMeters are digital devices that use radio signals and customers have voiced concerns about low level radiation. People have also complained about the inaccuracies of the meters and how their bills dramatically increased after installation.

President of the California Public Utilities Commission, Michael Peevey, will ask PG&E to develop a proposal to allow customers to opt-out of having the new SmartMeters.

At a meeting on March 10, 2011, the CPUC heard testimony from people concerned about the exposure to radio frequencies and radiation from the wireless electricity and gas meters. While Pacific Gas & Electric claims the exposure is no more than a normal cell phone, people have been quite vociferous in their opposition.