April 2011 Bill Inserts
Each month, PG&E offers important information on rebates, saving energy and safety in printed inserts that accompany your bill. Now, access this information online whenever you wish.
- Proposition 65—Public WarningThe Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly referred to as Proposition 65, requires the governor to publish a list of chemicals "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. It also requires California businesses to warn the public quarterly of potential exposures to these chemicals that result from their operations.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) uses chemicals in its operations that are "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
For example, PG&E uses natural gas and petroleum products in its operations. PG&E also delivers natural gas to its customers. Petroleum products, natural gas and their combustion by-products contain chemicals "known to the State of California" to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Signs of a gas leak: Don't rely solely on your nose
A warning odorant is added to natural gas so that leaks of unburned gas can be quickly detected, however the following signs may also indicate the presence of a gas leak: a hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas appliance or pipeline; a rotten-egg smell; a damaged connection to a gas appliance; dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area over or near pipeline areas; dirt or water being thrown in the air; a fire or explosion near a pipeline; and an exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood or other disaster.
If you detect a gas leak, you should contact PG&E immediately at 1-800-743-5000. For more gas safety information, visit www.pge.com/safety.
For additional information on this Proposition 65 warning, write to:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Proposition 65 Coordinator
77 Beale Street, Mail Code B23H
PO Box 770000 San Francisco, CA 94177 - Notification of Application Filing: Proposed Modifications to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's SmartMeter™ Program for Residential Customers (A.11-03-014)
What are the proposed modifications to the SmartMeter™ program application?
On March 24, 2011, PG&E filed proposed modifications to the SmartMeter™ program in response to California Public Utilities Commissioner Michael Peevey's request that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provide a proposal that addresses certain customers' concerns about SmartMeter™ radio frequency (RF) communications. If approved, PG&E's modifications to the SmartMeter™ program would offer residential electric and gas customers the opportunity to choose to have PG&E turn off the radios in their electric and gas meters, thus maintaining the benefits and efficiencies of continued deployment of SmartMeter™ technology, while specifically addressing those customers' concerns about the RF signals from their meters. Participation would be voluntary and participating customers would pay an additional up-front fee, along with a monthly charge in the form of a fixed fee or a rate adder to support this customized solution.
Proposed modifications to the SmartMeter™ program and costs
If approved, customers who choose to participate in the modifications to the SmartMeter™ program would pay to have PG&E turn off their SmartMeter™ radio communications. Participation is entirely voluntary for PG&E's residential electric and natural gas customers, including bundled service, direct access and community choice aggregation customers. Customers will have some choice as to how rates and fees are structured, but in general terms they would pay a one-time up-front fee, plus a monthly charge in the form of either a monthly fixed charge or a per-kWh (or per-therm, if a gas-only customer) rate adder. In addition, customers would owe an exit fee when they move from or leave the premise. The fee and rate choices are shown in the table inside for both non-CARE and CARE customers. The up-front fee will vary depending on whether the participant chooses to pay the fee all at once or over a two-year period. Rates will vary depending on the fee chosen and whether the participant wishes to pay via a fixed monthly charge or a volumetric (per-kWh or per-therm) rate adder. Rates are based on PG&E's unit costs to turn off the radio, manually read the meters every month, modify IT systems, provide information to customers on the program through call centers and other channels, and help reinforce the existing SmartMeter™ network to compensate for any degradation that turning off the radio causes.
Will rates increase as a result of this application?
No. There is no rate impact to customers who choose not to participate. The increases to a participating customer will depend on the specific fee and rate choice, as shown in the table above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
To request a copy of the application and exhibits or for more details, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. For TDD/TTY (speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712.
You may request a copy of the application and exhibits by writing to:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
SmartMeter™ Customer Choice Application
P.O. Box 7442, San Francisco, CA 94120
THE CPUC PROCESS
The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) and the Energy Division will review this application.
The DRA is an independent arm of the CPUC, created by the Legislature to represent the interests of all utility customers throughout the state and obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. The DRA has a multi-disciplinary staff with expertise in economics, finance, accounting and engineering. The DRA's views do not necessarily reflect those of the CPUC. Other parties of record will also participate.
The CPUC may hold evidentiary hearings where parties of record present their proposals in testimony and are subject to cross-examination before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). These hearings are open to the public, but only those who are parties of record may present evidence or cross-examine witnesses during evidentiary hearings. Members of the public may attend, but not participate in, these hearings.
After considering all proposals and evidence presented during the hearing process, the ALJ will issue a draft decision. When the CPUC acts on this application, it may adopt all or part of PG&E's request, amend or modify it, or deny the application. The CPUC's final decision may be different from PG&E's application.
If you would like to learn how you can participate in this proceeding or if you have comments or questions, you may contact the CPUC's Public Advisor as follows:
Public Advisor's Office
505 Van Ness Avenue
Room 2103
San Francisco, CA 94102
1-415-703-2074 or 1-866-849-8390 (toll free)
TTY 1-415-703-5282 or 1-866-836-7825 (toll free)
E-mail to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
If you are writing a letter to the Public Advisor's Office, please include the number of the application (A.11-03-014) to which you are referring. All comments will be circulated to the Commissioners, the assigned Administrative Law Judge and the Energy Division staff.
A copy of PG&E's SmartMeter™ Customer Choice application and exhibits are also available for review at the California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–noon and on the CPUC's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc. - Notification of public hearings:The California Public Utilities Commission is Meeting in Santa Rosa and Los Angeles to Accept Public Comment on Proposed New Safety and Reliability Regulations for Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution Pipelines
THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
All persons wishing to present their views to the Commission may attend the San Bruno hearing scheduled below. Hearings are also being scheduled for Los Angeles and another Northern California location:
May 12, 2011
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
CalTrans Building
First Floor, Conference Room
100 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
May 16, 2011
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Steele Lane Community Center
Auditorium, Dohn Room
415 Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 94503
REASON FOR HEARING:
As part of its response to the tragic gas transmission line rupture and fire in San Bruno on September 9, 2010, the Commission is reviewing its existing safety rules and considering proposals for new models of natural gas pipeline safety regulation applicable to all California pipelines. The Commission seeks public input on its proposed rules and rulemaking treatment for the costs of safety improvements. The Commission's decision describing its specific proposals and topics under consideration can be found on the Commission's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov. A printed copy may also be obtained from PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. For TDD/TTY (speech-hearing impaired), call 1-800-652-4712 or from the PG&E website at www.pge.com.
The locations above are wheelchair accessible. If you need interpreters for language or for the hearing impaired please contact the Public Advisor's Office at the telephone numbers listed below at least three to five working days in advance of the meeting date.
CPUC PROCESS:
Staff from the CPUC's Public Advisor's Office will be present at these hearings to assist you. If you are unable to attend either one of these important hearings and would like additional information on how to participate at these public hearings or if you would like to submit written comments about (R.11-02-019), please contact:
Public Advisor's Office
505 Van Ness Avenue
Room 2103
San Francisco, CA 94102
1-415-703-2074 or 1-866-849-8390 (toll free)
TTY 1-415-703-5282 or 1-866-836-7825 (toll free)
E-mail to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
A copy (R.11-02-019) is available for review at the CPUC, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–noon, and on the CPUC's website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc.
