California Commission Proposes Monitoring, Controlling Home Thermostats

Update Jan. 13, 2008, 5:19 pm -- The International Herald-Tribune has now covered this story, likening it to the old Outer Limits television show taking control of your television.

As this story continues to unfold, more detail is emerging. Homeowners would be able to override the utility control of their thermostat, except in the case of an emergency. So what constitutes an emergency? Californians want to know.

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Not a gun control story, but definitely a CONTROL story!

Some excerpts from the story: "Add thermostats to the list of private property the government would like to regulate as the state of California looks to require that residents install remotely monitored temperature controls in their homes next year."

"If contractors and residents refuse to comply with the mandate, their building permits will be denied."

"The Programmable Communication Thermostat, or PCT, will allow power authorities to control home temperatures without granting consumers ability to override settings during "emergency events."

The proposal is set to be considered January 30. Specifically, it would grant utility companies the right to control temperature settings in private homes. The Nanny State has long been alive and well in California with repeated attempts at private property oversight and sweeping gun control. Now they want to control your comfort in your home, in the name of energy savings?

I can't even begin to imagine what's next! Without question, the exodus from the Golden State will continue.