CPUC TO VOTE WED. ON FLAWED SMART METER OPT-OUT POLICY Critics say Extortionate Fees are Illegal; Entire Program Should be Scrapped San Francisco -- The California Public Utilities Commission—whose members are appointed by the Governor, not elected by the people—is set to vote on a plan this Wednesday to charge Californians hundreds of dollars per year simply to retain standard electric and gas analog meters on their homes.