Pacific Gas & Electric Company has begun installing SmartMeters, or digital meters that automatically feed information and these meters eliminate the need to have meter readers go out and physically record data. PG&E expects that by mid-2012 they will complete this installation which began in 2006. One of the advantages of these new meters is they will enable users to determine times of peak usage, and know how best to reduce use during these peak periods.

Unfortunately, there are numerous complaints about the accuracy of these new meters, and lawsuits have been brought against PG&E. People are complaining their bills have sharply increased. PG&E has responded to these complaints and already has tested more than 1,100 of them. They have reported no problems with the new problems and they are functioning properly.

California State Senator Dean Florez calls them "fraud meters" and wants an investigation.

The California Public Utilities Commission has recently given their okay to have an independent consultant to test the meters.

So what's the real story? Are they accurate? So how can you determine a SmartMeter if you've had one recently installed or shortly about to have one installed?

The fact is that nobody really knows for sure at this stage. PG&E claims they are very accurate. Groups like the Utility Reform Network, a non-profit has received more than 100 complaints.

Dr. Bill Wattenburg, a scientist who has a talk radio show on KGO has been quite clear in his disapproval of these meters. He calls them "dumb meters" says it's the "next massive fraud on California working families."

He points out that there is no way to verify the charges each month and they just "a half-baked scheme cooked up by some California Energy Commission (CEC) management consultants and paper pushers who have never done any real engineering design in their lives."

We feel the jury is still out on the accuracy but it's quite clear that already this is a very contentious issue and one that we'll hear more and more about in the coming months. 10 million California homes are affected so the sheer magnitude of so many people will only increase it's importance.

We'll keep you posted on this website what happens so you are properly informed.