PG & E Seeks to Replace Meters to Speed Repairs

Pacific Gas & Electric, a California utility owned by PG&E; Corp., proposed spending $1.46 billion to replace 9.3 million electric and natural-gas meters with devices that may help the utility repair power failures more efficiently.

The new meters could be read remotely and would provide an early signal of service disruptions and their location, San Francisco-based Pacific Gas said. The utility needs approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to proceed with the plan.

The meters would enable the utility to vary electricity rates, charging higher prices during times of peak usage to help shift demand to off-peak hours.

The utility said it would seek a rate increase to cover the cost of the new meters.