Jan 12 - United Press International

California energy officials are taking heat over a plan to install thermostats that let utilities change a building's temperature by remote control.

The smart thermostats would let utilities limit the use of air conditioning in homes and businesses during summer power emergencies, The San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.

Critics worried about excessive government intrusion have convinced the California Energy Commission to give customers the option of blocking remote control of their thermostats, the Chronicle reported.

Several California utilities, including Pacific Gas and Electric Co., now operate voluntary programs in some areas of the state. The thermostats, controlled by radio signals, are part of an energy-saving strategy that includes smart meters, which show consumers how much power they're using and the cost of that power as it changes during the day.