PG&E customers in Bakersfield recently finished their first summer with smart meters, a technological advance that was supposed to save customers money by helping them lower their energy bills. Instead, Bakersfield bills skyrocketed, and PG&E's response was 'don't use so much power.'  Now other customers in California have had the meters forced on them too, and they are having the same problems.

Complaints about these dumb smart meters are pouring into TURN. PG&E customers told us their demands, and we're taking them to the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) and state legislature.  Sign TURN's petition demanding more accountability from PG&E and a moratorium on smart meters.

We, the undersigned, demand action from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and State Legislature:

1. Prohibit PG&E from shutting off utility service of any Smart Meter customer who has a pending complaint filed with the CPUC.

2. Conduct energy audits and install energy efficiency programs to help smart meter customers with higher usage save money.

3. Ensure that community leaders and consumer advocates are invited to participate in the independent investigation of PG&E smart meters to test their accuracy and to interview customers.

4. Impose an immediate moratorium on installation of smart meters until investigation is completed, and remedies implemented.

5. Charge PG&E shareholders — not ratepayers for all costs for the independent investigation, replacing any defective smart meter systems, and for upgrading and replacing smart meters during the next 20 years.

6. Reject or minimize future PG&E rate increases to control monthly energy bills for customers throughout California.

7. Require PG&E to notify customers immediately (by email or phone) when their monthly electricity usage goes beyond Tier 3 and into Tier 4.