ALJ/TJS/tcg Date of Issuance 12/17/2010
Decision 10-12-031 December 16, 2010
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Authority to Increase Revenue Requirements to Recover the Costs to Upgrade its SmartMeterTM Program (U39E). |
Application 07-12-009 (Filed December 12, 2007) |
DECISION DENYING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO'S PETITION TO MODIFY DECISION 09-03-026
1. Summary
We deny the City and County of San Francisco's petition to modify Decision 09-03-026 because the petition fails to present new facts that justify the request to suspend Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) program to install SmartMeters. In particular, there are no facts that show that the SmartMeters are less accurate than current meters or that the billing system is now generating fewer accurate bills.
In addition, other issues that subsequently arose in this proceeding concerning customers' complaints and potential installation costs that exceed the amount authorized have had, have, or will likely have procedural homes elsewhere. Some issues are under consideration in PG&E's General Rate Case, Application 09-12-020. For example, the pending settlement in PG&E's General Rate Case provides that Commission staff will oversee an independent audit of SmartMeter costs. Other issues concerning projected SmartMeter costs are also the subject of this pending settlement agreement, filed on October 15, 2010, which provides for SmartMeter cost recovery and benefit recognition for the 2011 through 2013 period. Although the Commission has not yet acted on this settlement, it is clear that many issues concerning customer complaints and installation costs already have a procedural home. Moreover, general rate cases, a key part of Commission oversight of PG&E, can address issues concerning customer service and installation costs arising from the SmartMeter installation program. Issues concerning EMF emissions from SmartMeters have been the subject of Application 10-04-018. We see no reason to continue this proceeding.
In summary, we deny the petition to suspend PG&E's SmartMeter installation program because the parties have not put forth facts that justify the requested action. Since issues concerning customer service and installation costs have had, have, and will likely have other procedural homes, there is no good reason to continue this proceeding. Therefore, we deny the petition and close this proceeding.
