Smart Meter energy company fined $390,000 for spying!

On Thursday 4th April 2013, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a settlement in its investigation into Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for spying on anti-Smart Meter groups.  PG&E will be required to pay $390,000 to the state’s General Fund.

This infiltration by PG&E was part of an on-going surveillance program conducted by PG&E and Edelman, a public relations firm PG&E hired in January of 2010 in response to escalating Smart Meter complaints and problems.

As part of this program, the director of the PG&E Smart Meter program, William “Ralph” Devereaux, other PG&E employees and third parties spied on groups with the knowledge of senior PG&E staff.  PG&E employees and senior management exchanged emails insulting and demeaning the members of the anti-SmartMeter groups.  For example, these PG&E customers were referred to “insurgents.”

PG&E coordinated moving an entire Smart Meter deployment yard to derail a non-violent protest and sent an employee to surreptitiously observe and report on the reactions of the protestors, who also transmitted pictures of them to PG&E.  This “spy” expressed his pleasure in observing and taking photos of anti-SmartMeter activists.

Devereux resigned from PG&E in November 2010, after he was caught trying to infiltrate an EMF Safety Network discussion list using the false alias, “Ralph”.  He wrote to Sandi Maurer, moderator of the list, “I live in Oakland where Smart meters have been sweeping across town and wanted to learn more about them and join the conversation to see what I can do to help out here. Thanks, Ralph”

Maurer’s email program revealed his true identity as William Devereaux.  he responded, “Aren’t you the head of the Smart Meter program at PG&E? We’d love your help!…”

CPUC Commissioner Mike Florio said, “We will not tolerate consumer abuses in any shape or form.  We expect our utilities to treat their customers with respect and compassion and engage with their customers in a transparent, ethical, and productive manner.”

More: PG&E’s spying may cost them

Legal filings in this case: CPUC Investigation of PG&E for Spying I.12-04-010

via PG&E fined $390,000 for spying | EMF Safety Network.

5 Comments
  1. How very amusing 🙂

  2. Well done campaigners. This is the decade for ethical selling and showing for each other.. Big fat cats, your time is up. Hallelujah,

  3. Southern Calif. Gas Company aka Sempra is installing GAS meters with Data Transmission capabilities. On May 28, 2013 I wrote a letter to the Gas Company asking if they were planning to install smart meters.
    I also stated I was opposed to the new meters because of health concerns (EMF) and privacy issues. I stated I would not allow the Gas Company to replace my meter with a data transmission meter.
    I did not receive a reply as of today but when I made a follow-up call I was told I was placed on a “DEFFERED” list. A Gas Rep. came to my home and I allowed him to mark my meter as a deferred type.
    He had no explanation why they did not classify me as an op-out customer. I told him that to me and any other English speaking person the term deferred means delayed or postponed but did not have the same meaning as OPT-OUT. Besides an over 7% rate increase the Gas company wants to charge opt-out fees. The economic and privacy assault seems to have no end.

  4. Since when is it illegal for a private company to spy on anyone? I get that it isn’t the most ethical. But, what gives the state of CA the right to fine someone? Were there violations of law such as breaking and entering? Obviously I am missing something since this makes no sense.