A day after regulators called for increased public participation in California Public Utilities Commission proceedings, an agency administrative law judge turned off the microphone held by a member of the public and shut down the webcast of a meeting discussing how to create an opt-out program for controversial “smart” meters. After repeatedly telling the public participant that he was raising issues not included on the Sept. 14 workshop agenda, CPUC Administrative Law Judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa urged him to hand over the microphone. After a few warnings, the judge directed that his microphone be turned off. She also ordered that the webcast of the proceeding be disconnected. Phone access to the meeting remained uninterrupted. Utility representatives discussed the costs of using alternative meters, including analog devices, wireless ones with the radio frequencies turned off, and those using fiber optics instead of radio frequencies to communicate. Investor-owned utilities assert that installing or keeping in place analog meters, or using other alternative meter technology, would raise ratepayers’ costs. The key reason is utilities would need to send meter readers out to customers who insist on radio frequency-free meters on their premises. Another anticipated cost for opting out is associated with avoiding gaps in the flow of meter data. Utility representatives also claim fiber optics are “ridiculously expensive.” Earlier this year, the World Health Organization designated radio frequency electro-magnetic field radiation as a “possible” carcinogen. However, most cancer concerns involve cell phones used close to the head. A Southern California Edison ratepayer asserted that the utility stated in writing that it “had no contingency plan for [electro magnetic] sensitive people.” Edison also took heat for not advertising its customer complaint phone number. A Pacific Gas & Electric customer complained that after opting out three times via the utility’s special phone line, the utility lacked any record of his request.