Watch CBS News

PG&E To Ignore Marin County Vote On SmartMeters

SAN RAFAEL (AP) -- Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said it will not comply with Marin County's moratorium on the installation of wireless utility meters.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a one-year ban on SmartMeter installation in the county's unincorporated area. They bowed to critics who say the meters are inaccurate, jam emergency radio frequencies and pose a potential health hazard.

But PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith said the utility will continue installing the devices until it hears differently from the California Public Utilities Commission, which has jurisdiction over them.

The supervisors acknowledge the board doesn't have authority over SmartMeters but said they want to send a strong message to utility officials.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.