PG&E’s new SmartMeters would appear to be a great idea at first glance. Designed to educate consumers about their daily electric and gas use, SmartMeters look like the kind of eco-conscious technology we need more of, one that empowers individuals to make choices that save them money and help the environment.

Yet all sorts of criticisms have been leveled against these devices across California, so much that the Berkeley City Council voted to send PG&E a letter outlining concerns about the program. Some residents have said that the radio waves the SmartMeters use to transmit energy usage information to PG&E are a health hazard. Others have said that their energy bills have spiked tremendously since the installation of the devices. Further, the fact that the program costs $2.2 billion does not ease consumers’ worries.

We can judge the validity of some of these concerns more easily than others – those concerns over the cost of the program are easier to judge than those over its alleged health effects, for example. What we are most concerned about, however, is the fact that the program is mandatory. There is no opt-out option. PG&E will come onto an individual’s property, without permission, to install these controversial devices. There appears to be no clear and convincing reason for this.

PG&E should reconsider the mandatory aspect of their program immediately. In doing something it believes to be good for both consumers and the environment, it alienates many customers quite needlessly. The Berkeley City Council did the right thing by urging PG&E to take into account the concerns of consumers.