Peter Flores, a resident of Bakersfield CA, has filed a class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Wellington Energy, alleging that he, and other plaintiffs have been and continue to be overcharged for gas and electricity under the company's SmartMeter program.
SmartMeter is an automated meter reading program, a technology that is not uncommon in the industry. The SmartMeters were installed by Wellington Energy, the other defendant in the suit.
According to a report in consumersaffairs.com (Nov 8, 2009), more than 200 PG&E customers attended a public hearing in October to protest their high energy charges, claiming that their meters were malfunctioning.
Peter Flores claims that his utilities charges are more per month than his mortgage.
Allegations brought against PG&E in the suit include fraud, unfair competition, false advertising and negligence.
