Around the time Pacific Gas & Electric started installing smart meters in California’s San Joaquin Valley, temperatures started to soar. But consumers got hotter still when their electricity bills started arriving with new smart meters and higher bills. Could this really be right?

The California PUC commissioned an independent evaluation to determine if PG&E smart meters were working properly. In a 414-page report, the smart meters were determined to be accurate.  Better communication and customer service need to bring together utilities, suppliers, vendors and advocates to better understand consumer needs and share best practices.