The California Public Utility Commission ruled on Thursday that Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric customers will receive the same opt-out smart meter program as their neighbors to the north in Pacific Gas & Electric’s territory.
Although the utilities lobbied for the "radio off" option, where the wireless radio inside of digital smart meters would be turned off, they instead received the pricier option of giving customers an analog meter.
The cost to those who choose to opt-out is not insignificant. Customers will have to pay $75 upfront and $10 monthly for an analog meter. Low-income customers will pay $10 upfront and $5 per month.
