Utility companies around the world are swapping out electric, gas and water analog utility meters and replacing them with pulsed radio frequency (RF) radiation Smart Meters, which are costing us money, privacy, and our health and safety.
Smart Meters, (or AMI, AMR) eliminate meter reader jobs and are part of the “Smart Grid”, which has been promoted as “green”. This is a very expensive RF computer system on every home and business that customers are forced to pay for. Media reviews and consumers report numerous complaints prior to or following installation of Smart Meters for a variety of reasons.
- Cost, billing overcharges, and reliability
- Health: Smart Meter Health Complaints , Dr. warns of smart meter cancer risk
- Interference, and other Smart Meter Complaints
- Privacy Spy Meters, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
- Security ‘Smart’ meters have security holes, Ex-CIA chief Slams Smart Grid
- Fire hazard Smart Meter Fires and Explosions
The electric meter has two antennas. One sends a signal into your home (or business), to connect with “smart” appliances. The other transmits and repeats neighbors data in a “mesh network”. This data is then sent to data collector, which could be located on a lamppost, telephone pole, building or another home. Some homes will have collector meters with three antennas. Collector meters and antennas will send and receive substantially more RF radiation. (See an industry demo on how it works.)
Smart Grid proponents are expecting consumers to install a Home Area Network, which includes an RF interior display unit and either retrofit or purchase new RF ‘smart’ appliances. Installing these interior devices will allow the utility company to further monitor your electric usage and control the grid, by turning off certain appliances during peak use time, if needed. Smart meters don’t save energy.
Smart Meters are a surveillance device. They collect detailed energy usage, for instance: when you cook, watch TV, whether you are home or not, when you turn on a light, if you have guests. This data is very valuable. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is already discussing how to make it available to third parties.
The World Health Organization recently classified RF as a 2B carcinogen, same as DDT and lead. Military studies here and here show pulsed RF can cause serious health problems, including tinnitus, memory loss and seizures. Thousands of studies link biological effects to RF exposure. International experts warn against RF hazards associated with the dumb meters.
The EMF Safety Network filed a CPUC Application in April of 2010 asking for a moratorium on the deployment, public health hearings and an RF emissions study. In December of 2010 the CPUC dismissed the application even though no hearings were held in case. An appeal was filed in January of 2011. The CPUC denied the appeal and on July 11, 2012 we filed a lawsuit against the CPUC.
The CPUC and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have rubber stamped utility safety claims that the meters transmit a few times a day at 1 watt. In October of 2011, PG&E finally admitted that the electric meters send an average of 14,000 RF pulses per meter per day, at a peak power of 2 1/2 watts and a maximum of 190,000 pulses, per day.
The FCC RF safety standards are for short term thermal effects (5 and 30 minutes), and are configured for a 6 ft 2″ 200 pound male. The meters are assessed for safety compliance in isolation, not in a mesh network, in which they are designed to operate, or in combination with multiple meters, or other sources of RF, such as wi-fi, DECT phones, cell phones, cell towers, baby monitor etc. Sage Associates study found the meters can violate FCC safety guidelines in the manner deployed and operated. In addition the meters can also violate FCC safety conditions.
In California, the CPUC finally ordered Investor Owned Utilities (IOU’s) to allow customers to opt out of Smart Meters. However they are charging customers fees, calling the opt-out program a service.
Reported health impacts include sleep problems, headaches, nausea, anxiety, heart palpitations, tinnitus and ear pain, concentration and memory problems, dizziness, immune, nervous and hormonal system impacts, behavior problems in children, and long term risk of cancers.
In January of 2012, the top public health official in Santa Cruz County California prepared this report, confirming Smart Meters do pose a health risk. Health Risks Associated With SmartMeters. Also in January 2012, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) sent this letter to the CPUC calling for a halt to wireless smart meters.
Vulnerable groups include people with EMF sensitivities, medical implants, compromised immune systems, children, pregnant women, seniors and the environment! If you have a pacemaker PG&E is now warning you to adhere to the SIX INCH RULE-for your safety stay 6 inches away from a Smart Meter.
Smart Meters don’t run backwards, and are therefore incompatible with solar panel installations. In 2010, PG&E reported over 43,000 Smart Meter problems of one kind or another. Thousands of complaints have been received by the CPUC for safety, RF impacts, EMF’s, opting out, moratorium, requests to remove, and for other numerous reasons.
The following is a partial list of California groups, lawmkers, counties and cities who have called for a moratorium, the right for consumers to opt out, adopted an ordinance banning meters, requested more research on health and safety impacts, or are opposing Smart Meters: The Utility Reform Network, CA State Senator Dean Florez, CA State Assembly members Jared Huffman and Bill Monning, the County Board of Superviors of Humboldt, Lake.Marin, Mendocino, Monterey , San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tehama , Ventura, and the cities of Arcata, Belvedere, Berkeley, Blue Lake, Bolinas, Buelton, Calabasas, Camp Meeker, Capitola, Clearlake, Cotati, Fairfax, Fort Bragg, Goleta, Grover Beach, Lakeport, Marina, Mill Valley, Monte Sereno, Monterey, Morro Bay, Mt. Shasta, Novato, Ojai, Pacific Grove, Palo Alto, Piedmont, Richmond,Rio Dell, Ross, San Anselmo, San Luis Obispo ,San Rafael, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sausalito, Scotts Valley, Seaside, Sebastopol, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Watsonville, Willits, and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Peace and Freedom Party, the Marin Association of Realtors, the Sonoma County Republican Central Committee, the SF Sierra Club, the Monterrey Green Party, the Alameda Greens, and the EMF Safety Network. In addition cities in the State of Maine and British Columbia Canada have passed resolutions calling for a moratorium on Smart Meters.
The campaign against smart meters for health reasons started in Sebastopol California. Here are three short videos with public comments. Are Smart Meters Smart?
Today there are action groups opposed to these throughout California, in many US states, Canada, Australia and Europe. Find one in your area.
MORE INFORMATION:
This 173-page report “Analysis: Smart Meter and Smart Grid Problems – Legislative Proposal” by activist Nina Beety has extensive referenced information about many of the problems and risks of the Smart Meter program, with information from state, national, and international resources. Supplemental documents can be downloaded here.
WARNING: Apartment owners and managers: AOA Why “Smart Meters” Are Not Smart For You! by Ellen and Tobie Cecil
Vermont Smart Meter Briefing 2012- Cindy Sage and Dr. Carpenter
The Dark Side of “Smart” Meters by engineer Rob States
More Ecological Options Network: Smart Meter videos
Southern California Edison briefing by the co-editor of the Bioinitiative Report, RF expert Cindy Sage: Briefing Letter on Electric Utility Smart Meters
Commentary by Blake Levitt: award-winning journalist who has specialized in medical and science writing for nearly two decades. She has researched the biological effects of nonionizing radiation since the late 1970′s. A former New York Times writer, she has written widely on medical issues for both the lay and professional audience. This piece has been updated: The Problems with Smart Grids: Dumb and Dangerous by Levitt and Glendinning.
PUBLIC CITIZEN: Energy Investment Forum, Building Green: Consumer Viewpoints on the Smart Grid
13 Fatal Flaws Sage Associates
Joint Comments of the Center for Democracy & Technology and the Electronic Frontier Foundation
“Smart” Meters Exposed: Monterey Green party meeting, video in four parts with Josh Hart and Nina Beety.
Commentary by Barri Boone: How Smart are the “Smart” Meters?
Commentary by Judy Vick: Legal Challenge to Smart Meters
Commentary by Joshua Hart How Smart Is Brain Cancer?
Commentary by David Wientjes Smart to Worry about Smart Meters
Smart Meters and Smart Regulation by Steven Weissman UC Berkeley Law
Public Policy and Those Pesky Smart Meters by Steven Weissman UC Berkeley Law
Harmful Radio Waves- The Invisible Health Threat Of Wireless SmartMeters by Kate Bernier
NO Thanks PG&E , Article by Sandi Maurer
Smart Meter Primer by Sierra Salin
SMART METER Moratorium KRCB Interview
Commentary by Dr. Jeffry Fawcet “When an Assurance is a Lie”
EMF Safety Network Smart Meter Questions
PG&E Answers to EMF Safety Network’s Smart Meter Questions
More Q and A with PG&E (this document includes PG&E’s responses regarding how often meters transmit RF, in 2-20 millisecond pulses, 45 seconds a day – (a second is 1000 milliseconds)
Dr. David O. Carpenter, expert on wireless technologies and public health, condemns the CCST report as poorly done.
Click https://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/content/view/2145/65/ to read the original, signed report by Dr. Carpenter as a pdf.
Dear Commissioners,
PG&E should never have been given the legal right or authority to install the so-called smart meters. Scientific testing, Underwriter Laboratory certification, health consequences, privacy issues, and accuracy testing and verification was never properly given their due and as a consequence many thousands, if not more, households/landowners/apartment dwellers, and business owners have been adversely affected.
The fact that proper guidance and authority, and real oversight, was not brought to bear on this boondoggle has resulted in extreme negligence and harm to ourselves and the environment.
That PG&E now is trying to make a further power and money grab by imposing opt out fees, monthly surcharges, and perhaps even an exit fee, is undemocratic and outrageous.
We, the American taxpayer, should not have to pay for this extraordinary blunder and abdication of fiscal responsibility and overreach. In any other circumstance if a vendor of any kind tried to demand monies because they did something they should never have done and then try to stick you with the bill it would not be tolerated. Such a demand is tantamount to abusive and exploitive behavior on PG&E’s part and should not be allowed to proceed.
As always, along with the criminal aspects of such irresponsibility, the poor, the elderly, minorities, and uninformed individuals are especially targeted by the prospect of such unfair “business” practices. This is financial, racial, and elder abuse and exploitation. It is despicable. Ratepayers have already paid more than 2.2 billion dollars for a program which has nothing to do with green technology. PG&E has plenty of ill-gotten profits as it is. It’s time for them to take responsibility and absorb any and all costs associated with the removal of already installed smart meters, and a complete halt to further installations.
I am deeply resentful of how PG&E’s practices have put all of us at risk. The billions of dollars they have should be going to testing and replacing their damaged gas pipelines which have already incinerated an entire neighborhood. How dare they not deal with the immediate threat of antiquated and unsafe pipelines before they ever embarked on this ill conceived ridiculous abuse of power and authority.
Thank you for your attention in this matter. You are entrusted with protecting the public interest and I, and my family, hope that your rise to the task.
Sincerely,
Katlyn Stranger
San Rafael, CA
Dear CPUC:
PG&E’s smart meter opt-out option is more than unfair for ratepayers who have paid in excess of 2.2 billion dollars for the “smart meter” program–which they never asked for, and which most did not want in the first place. The “smart meter” program is designed primarily to save PG&E money – by firing meter readers, by controlling energy usage for maximum profit, and by extorting money out of ratepayer victims who do not care to suffer dangerous and possibly fatal radiation exposure from these unregulated devices. If the “smart meter” is genuinely safe, why do PG&E and the CPUC not call for an independent testing and evaluation of the “smart meter”?
PG&E OPT-OUT PLAN: $270 up-front fee to opt out, a $14 monthly surcharge and a yet-to-be determined “exit fee” if you move. This is absolute extortion. These amounts never will be paid, and it is foolish to think otherwise.
PG&E has not seen the light of day, has not suddenly become compassionate; rather, it is being forced to offer an opt-out provision of the “smart meter” program, but it has gamed that provision. The proposed costs of opting out are prohibitive, which is PG&E’s intention, an attempt to stop the widespread and growing opposition to “smart meters”.
A SENSIBLE & USER-FRIENDLY OPT-OUT OPTION: No charge to keep your existing analog meter. No PG&E finagling of rates to customers choosing this option. PG&E can estimate usage based on the prior year, or customers can self-read monthly. A meter reader can check twice a year so that any underage or overage can be adjusted. Better yet, do not throw thousands of meter readers out of work. Let them keep their jobs, and let them continue to read meters.
For any customer who requests it, PG&E should restore the analog meter at PG&E’s expense, as soon as possible. Additionally, PG&E should be required to pay reparations to ratepayer-victims who suffered ill health, fires, explosions, damage to existing electronics and/or theft of personal information due to forced “smart meter” installation. Ratepayers should not have to pay for PG&E venality.
There should be an immediate and permanent ban on further installation of wireless “smart meters,” and a public service campaign to inform consumers of opt-out options. Finally, no more delays in evidentiary hearings on “smart meters” should be tolerated. Let’s get the truth, not PG&E profit-driven fabrications.
Sincerely,
Farrell Winter
Santa Rosa CA
1) Most multi-residence buildings in San Francisco and elsewhere have meters together in banks (eight, sixteen and more) located adjacent to one unit in the building. The tenant in that unit would have control over only two meters (one electricity and one gas). An opt-out program would be meaningless to that tenant. Wireless SmartMeters cannot be allowed in such buildings.
2) Many buildings have a passageway in the rear or side which is about 36 inches wide. If meters are mounted on both sides of this walkway, who with a pacemaker would want to walk through it ?
3) The level of the insanity of this program and PG&E’s opt-out proposal is nearly
beyond belief.
Thank you for your comment William. It is truly unthinkable what they are doing. PG&E claims, “The FCC is the body that is responsible for RF
regulation. All meters with SmartMeter™ technology have been licensed or certified by
the FCC.” The fact is these meters are categorically excluded according to the FCC. There is no accountability and no oversight!
I am very upset. I live in a large building in SF & was told the smartmeters were being installed. What I wasn’t told is that they are on each floor & yesterday, as they were being installed, I learned they were in what is called the electrical room, which abuts my apartment, right near my bedroom.
Is there any way to protect me & others who are close to this room…(I’m thinking lead walls…ha ha).
Some people have tried shielding. It would be best to measure the RF to confirm the shielding is working. lessemf.com sells meters and shielding fabric. Others are moving out for a safer place to live.
Thanks for your answer. Now, what, I’m wondering, is happening to the food in my apartment & our water supply?
“Major Blackout From South Orange County, California To Mexico” (09/08/2011)
I have NEVER supported the replacement of the “Old – Style Electric Meters” for the new “SmartConnect Electric Meters.” I suspect that the newer, more high – tech electric meters are far – more – susceptible to solar flares as well as to an Electric – Magnetic – Pulse (EMP). There were major solar flare activity on September 08, 2011. Susceptibility to an EMP makes such targets easy prey to potential high – tech terrorists.
Although no one else is talking about it, I know for a fact that when the major blackout struck from South Orange County, California to Mexico, it was during a major electric meter project being conducted by Southern California Edison.
EMF is heat.
Sample letter to Neighbors about PG$E OPT-OUT and it worked. Dear Neighbor: PG&E is allowing its customers to OPT OUT of the new “smart meter” program. This means we can all keep our safe, properly working analog meters. In order to OPT OUT, PG&E requires each customer to sign the enclosed form.
Although we will all be charged $75.00 set up fee and $10.00 monthly fee on our future bills, I agree to pay you back each month with my own check to you for these amounts. This means no extra chages for any of you.
Just put your name & PG&E Acct. # and phone # on the enclosed form and sign & date it. Then just put the completed form into my mailbox and I will mail all 4 together.
People with new “smart meters” are noticing significant increases in their monthly bills, some as high as 200% higher than with the old analog meters. The existing analog meters do NOT emit radiation at all, but the new “smart meters” constantly emit radiation. There are still other reasons to keep our own analog meters and they can be found at my organization’s website: emfsafetynetwork.org
Strange, how there is legal action taken against the cigarette for reasons, that cigarettes cause cancer and is now before the courts. Yet, we allow “smart meters” to poison us while politicians turn their backs on such an important issue. Is ignorance bliss? May be the time has come to take the next step and take B.C.Hydro to court. An invasion of privacy, combined with serious health issues not to forget the escalating bills and risks of damage to homes and businesses, should now be a priority!
I also have a home under BC Hydro, where there is no opt out. They’re natzis when it comes to any counterposition. Obviously, big business wins again, bastards. I also have noticed in Calif, in my townhome, a slight ringing in my ears of late. It’s from the damn smart meter i’ll bet since I do not listen to loud music and protect my ears.
Well, if that doesn’t beat all. . . .
I’ve been noticing that for the last three months since I opted out (and KEPT my analog meter), that my electricity bill — not including the outrageous opt-out surcharge — has INCREASED by a consistent 60 percent over the same months of the previous year. Yet my actual usage each month has, if anything, DECREASED since last year.
If we win the lawsuit against the PUC, will we be eligible for a REFUND of the money taken from us for the opt-out fees?
Same as penalty scheme with proposed ObamaCare which is NO CARE at all, only to get your money. This is a sham of Legalized Spying . If they don’t get the info from surveys on the Internet they’ll get it thru utilities. It’s a Win situation for PG&E either way and we’ll lose if we don’t speak up. There taking away your freedom through deceiful devices. They’re trying to make civilians their puppets. I think there was an, “Outer Limits,” episode like this.
I live in a 800sqft house. my kwh range from 320-411. for 8 months. I have
a smart meter for 5 months now. my kwh range from 1200= 1779, I live in Tullahoma Tennessee. my smart meter is complements of Tullahoma utilities. When I asked the utilities company why my bill increased 4 -5 times the normal amount I was told various lies such as, The old meter didn’t work, Your heat was turned up to high. Its your water heater, Everybodys bill goes up in the winter, Or I should be glad its not higher. I have no heat in my house except an electric blanket. I do not have cha, dishwasher, washer or dryer, big screen tv, xbox,wii, or a grow room, or a frost free fridge. but im still getting charged for 1000-1700 kwh a month. I was also told by Tullahoma utilities that because the meter has run high consistantly for 5 months, that nothing was wrong with their meter.
Ask them to do a side by side test- or tell them to return the analog meter. (Also electric blankets are a health hazard!)