For the better part of this year I have reported on numerous meetings and hearings on the accuracy of Pacific Gas & Electric’s Statewide rollout of “Smartmeters” and, for some, the resulting bills that, in my opinion, simply defied logic.  

Just a week ago I received my own notice from PG&E that I had long dreaded; I would be getting my “own” meter upgraded to a “Smartmeter” within a few weeks (I reside in the Sierra Foothills near Grass Valley, CA). Immediately I recalled my reporting and what a nightmare the “Smartmeters” had caused for many. I wondered what the status of the use and billing problems were. Had they been resolved?

Surely they have!

Senator to call Structure Group to Legislative Hearing

SACRAMENTO – Senator Dean Florez today attended the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meeting in San Francisco where the Structure Group released it’s much anticipated study of Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) smart meter program.  The study was commissioned by the PUC following numerous complaints of inaccurate billing following smart meter installation.

“I believe this report raises more questions than answers.  I was especially surprised at the limited number of customer complaints that were reviewed.  I’m also concerned that there were no industry standard established prior to smart meters being placed on residents’ homes,” said Florez

FLOREZ CONTINUED…

“I think it is key that we take the time now to have an extensive and detailed hearing on Structure’s work product.  So far what is missing from the report is any sense that this was a true ‘investigation’ as opposed to a review of PG&E’s smart meters.”

“I plan to convene a hearing soon and possibly assemble a panel of experts to ensure that what is being reported by Structure meets the standard of inquiry expected by ratepayers.  But bottom line, I’m not satisfied with what I have learned so far about what has been presented by the PUC and Structure at this point,” stated Florez

Hopefully, I will not need to call my own elected official after I get my next “envelope” from PG&E. I will be watching the mailbox for each new bill for the next few months. You might want to consider doing the same.

California Food Safety & Health

There is nothing quite like pulling over to the side of many California roads and highways to purchase and enjoy fresh picked Strawberries! When I do so, rarely do I make it home with any strawberries left.  Like me, it is a pretty good bet that you know little of serious potential health hazards that may be looming from something that tastes so good.  

Informational Hearing

What Are the Alternatives?”

Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter, who has become the defacto Legislative leader of food safety and consumer protection in the California State Senate, and is also a candidate for California Lt. Governor, will hold a hearing of the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee on Monday morning in Sacramento. The hearing will focus on investigating safe alternatives to the strawberry pesticide methyl iodide – a carcinogen which is believed to induce miscarriages and which poses a threat to groundwater – as state regulators prepare to decide if the chemical should be allowed for agricultural use in California.

Methyl iodide is proposed as a replacement for the fumigant methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting pesticide which is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement.

While methyl iodide is better for the ozone than methyl bromide, many argue that it is actually much worse for farmworkers and local communities.  Its use had been linked to cancer, miscarriages and neurological problems.  Last year, twenty-seven members of the State Assembly wrote to the Administration urging caution and calling for a commitment to outside review before approval.

Florez will convene a panel of researchers, regulators, farmers, farmworker advocates and concerned residents to discuss the risks to human health and the environment posed by methyl iodide, in anticipation of the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s consideration of plans to allow its use on California fields.

“It’s my understanding that there are much healthier alternatives on the table, for which there are even funds available to make them cost-effective to growers,” said Florez.  “I can’t imagine how we can ignore those alternatives when communities and human lives are at risk.”

Monday’s hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Room 3191 of the California State Capitol Building.