The California Public Utilities Commission says its negotiations with a contractor have hit a snag. The commission has been saying since late December that it expected to have an independent investigator hired in a matter of weeks.
Thursday, it confirmed that a contractor has been selected, but that the potential hire is asking for new provisions in the contract.
The investigation is expected to take about 6 months.
In the meantime, PG&E continues to install the meters throughout California.
The Utility Reform Network had asked for a moratorium on the meters until the investigation can be completed.
People who have had them installed already have complained they are driving their utility bills up.
