Category: Take Action!
Help is on the Way! Submit Your Complaint Today at SmartMeterHelp.Com
Today, the EMF Safety Network and Stop Smart Meters! are excited to announce the official launch of our new joint *project: SmartMeterHelp.Com This is a website was designed with the sole purpose of burying our elected officials, utilities commissions, and health departments with complaints about the debacle that has resulted from the poorly planned, undemocratic, and ill-advised rollout of ‘smart’ meters into our communities.
Even if you have already submitted a complaint, please take 5 minutes now to fill out the form and tell your story. This will make it that much easier for advocates working to put a stop to this program to demonstrate that these meters are having a detrimental effect on thousands, if not millions of people.
Were you forced to have a Smart Meter when you didn’t want one? Have you been overcharged? Were you on the “delay” list and they installed anyway? Have Smart Meters caused you headaches, sleep problems, tinnitus or other health problems? Have you had interference problems or burned out appliances, since a new meter was installed? A meter catch on fire? Have the utilities lied to you, or made false claims about their service? Did you feel threatened or intimated by installers? Did they assault you or your pets? Do you think it’s wrong to have to pay to not have one? We’ve heard complaints about all of the above happening to members of the public.
We are fed up, and we’re not going to take it anymore! Spread the word about this new website to your friends, family, and co-workers. Post on social media and encourage others to take action.
Together, we can put a stop to ‘smart’ meter abuse!
*This project is now closed.
Opt-out OUTRAGE!
Today the President of the California the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Michael Peevey issued a Proposed Decision on what to do with the thousands of complaints against the (dumb, too smart, not smart, spy, murder, dirty, hazardous, merd, smeter) microwave computer utility meters that companies are stealthily installing with support from government and environmentalists.
The CPUC, whose mission is to provide safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates, and regulate the utilities has once again rubber stamped PG&E’s demands. Peevey’s proposed decision says we must pay $90 upfront and $15 a month for a “radio off” meter. Analog meters are not included. The fees are an obvious punishment, and likely illegal.
What can we do about this outrage in California? Here’s an idea: We can REFUSE to pay. Deduct it from the utility bill in protest.
Here’s what others think about the concept of opt-out:
“We should not have to pay for NO CHANGE in electric service. We don’t pay for not getting cable. We don’t pay for not getting satellite. We don’t pay for gas if we don’t use gas appliances. What the heck is going on when we have to pay MORE for something we don’t want, don’t need, won’t use and can’t get out of. When the vacuum salesman comes to the door, and I don’t want to buy a vacuum, I don’t buy it and he doesn’t get into my wallet.” Anonymous survey comment
Just removing the meter from our home I don’t think will restore the peace and freedom from harm. As you know with all the homes having the meters on them, the amount of radiation is substantial. I don’t think I am overstating this. I am beginning to think they are trying to do a slow kill, so we don’t wake up to it. It is interesting that some of us have a super sensitivity to the radiation while others no less being slowly harmed by it are clueless because they don’t sense anything. CMC, Riverside County CA
“These folks are way better organized than the power industry, they are creating converts every day and they’re not going to stop with a puny opt-out option.” Phil Carson, Editor-in-chief, Intelligent Utility Daily
Maine utility admits smart meters cause interference
Utility meters are breaking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule not to interfere with other radio frequency devices.
The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Public Advocate’s office released a statement this week saying:
“Smart Meters are interfering with a wide range of household electronic devices, from garage door openers and WiFi devices to security systems.”
On Central Maine Power’s FAQ, in answer to the question: “Will the smart meter interfere with my other household appliances such as computer routers, television signal, cordless phones, etc.?” they respond: “Separating interfering devices usually reduces interference, so make sure the wireless device is located as far from the smart meter as possible. Also, adjust the position of the antenna on the device, if possible, and move the wireless device away from any walls that may absorb the signal.”
According to the FCC Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: the meters are not supposed to cause interference, and if they do the FCC states,
“The operator of a radio frequency device shall be required to cease operating the device upon notification by a Commission representative that the device is causing harmful interference.”
How to remove the dumb meter
Dumb Meters are costing us money, privacy and our health and safety. People are getting sick from exposure to the microwave pulses dumb meters transmit. Experts are warning against them.
Many people have asked how to get rid of one, once it’s on their house. Some people took matters in their own hands, including Caitlyn Phillips. Caitlyn Phillips, a Santa Cruz resident recently had an analog meter successfully restored by PG&E. Caitlyn complained in person to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). She told them how she was deceived, threatened, had anxiety and headaches from the new meter and had subsequently changed back to the analog meter herself. Within a week PG&E made the switch to their own analog.
“The CPUC announced at its last public meeting that PG&E would provide an analog meter to this customer and we have worked closely with the customer to address their concerns,” said PG&E’s Greg Snapper.
If you want a dumb meter removed and your requests to the utility have failed, you may need to purchase an analog (707) 472-2407, hire an electrician and restore the meter, then follow up by attending a CPUC meeting. Here’s another source for analog meters: http://www.hialeahmeter.com/siphwame.html
The next CPUC meetings are scheduled for November 10, December 1 and December 15. Unless otherwise noted, meetings begin at 9 a.m. and are held in the CPUC Auditorium at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Arrive by 8:45 to sign up to speak to the Commission, or sign up online before the meeting. You will be given between 1-3 minutes depending on how many people want to speak. Public comments start at the beginning of each meeting. Request the return of the analog meter, do not accept the “radio off” meter. Check the CPUC calendar for possible meeting changes.
For people outside of the bay area call the Public Advisor’s office at 866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074 and ask for accommodations to participate in the CPUC meeting by phone during public comments. Call at least three days prior to the meeting.
More on Caitlyn’s story from Stop Smart Meters!
Update: In the City of Glendale CA persistence pays off for a customer who was suffering heart palpitations and headaches after a “smart”meter was installed. Complaints to the local Glendale Water and Power Company brought relief as they restored the analog meter on her home.
Peevey OKs Analogs!
On Thursday September 22, at the California Public Utilities Commission business meeting, President Michael Peevey told Chandu Vyas, who’s been suffering from headaches, that he could talk to PG&E and they would provide that he “could go back to the analog meter”. President Peevey directed Mr. Vyas to contact Mr. Sidney Bob Dietz, whose number is: 415-973-5921.
If you want to remove your Smart Meter and have an analog restored, contact Mr. Dietz, or contact Thomas Bottorff, 415-973-3889.
President Peevey could not just allow Mr. Vyas his analog, without allowing others, right?
Survey results: wireless meters impact health and safety
The EMF Safety Network launched a survey in July to investigate the health and safety complaints of wireless utility meters and to determine if further study is warranted. The survey results have been evaluated by Ed Halteman, phd statistics, of Survey Design and Analysis of Boulder Colorado. The survey was circulated online through this website, email lists and other social media outlets.
443 people took the survey and 78% were from California, 68% were PG&E customers. 49% said they or a member of their household were EMF sensitive.
41% of respondents had one or more wireless meters installed on their home. 35% had increase billing charges, 26% experienced some type of interference and 8% experienced burnt out appliances or damaged electronics.
Top health issues since the wireless meters were installed on or near the home (318 people) included sleep problems (49%), stress (43%), headaches (40%), ringing in the ears (38%) and heart problems (26%).
Of 111 people who complained to their utility provider 96% were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with ho they handled their complaint and the same is true for complaints to the utilities commission, 96% dissatisfaction.
94% of respondents want to retain or restore the analog meters and 92% do not believe they should pay more to do so.
Statistical testing shows the top health symptoms are positively associated with EMF Sensitivity and wireless meters on the home.
See Final Narrative Here:Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey Results-Final
CA utilities to microwave 5000 homes
On July 28, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered utilities to install Home Area Network (HAN) devices and activate the second 2.4 ghz microwave antennae in the electric Smart Meter in 5000 CA homes. (P. 4 ” The decision orders PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E to each file a Tier 3 advice letter advice letter within four months to develop Smart Meter Home Area Network implementation plans specific to each. The plans must include an initial rollout of service to up to 5000 Home Area Network (HAN) devices that would allow HAN activation for early adopters upon request. … The full rollout shall require smart meters to transmit energy usage data to the home so that it can be received by a HAN device…”)
The industry/government partnered concept is that all new appliances will contain microwave antennas to operate in conjunction with the HAN, alerting consumers about their power consumption. What they don’t tell you is this HAN device will give utilities direct access into your home to turn on, or off your appliances, to control your electric use. What is not advertised is how the utilities will market data they collect from you to interested third parties, nor how microwave radiation was known to make people sick, is known to make people sick, is making people sick, and is now classified as a class 2B carcinogen by the WHO.
Will the utilities warn these 5000 homeowners of the health and safety risks of microwave radiation? NO they won’t. Will they investigate to see how near to the HAN or wireless meter people in the home sleep? NO they won’t. Will they inquire about age or immune sensitivity prior to installation of the HAN? No they won’t. Will they inquire about the use of other wireless medical devices? No they won’t. Will they disclose how often these microwaves will be transmitted, to and from the meter, HAN and appliances? No, they won’t. Will they prove that constant exposure to microwave radiation throughout your home is safe? No, they won’t. Meanwhile appliance manufacturers are gearing up to sell all new appliances with microwave transmitters to work with the HAN.
This directive to microwave 5000 homes was announced at the CPUC meeting, shortly after dozens of California ratepayers passionately implored the Commission to halt the radiation rollout. Speaker after speaker shared how the wireless meters were making them sick and even homeless. The first speaker stated that since the new meter was installed he was having headaches and President Peevey told him to talk to PG&E who were in the room and that they would help him. (really?) The last speaker stated he would help anyone who wanted to remove the meter and send it back to PG&E in pieces and he did not care if it was against the law, that he would do time for it.
Following pubic comments, Commissioner Simon expressed his disappointment in the industry and called on those who economically benefit from the technology to show up at public comments to educate the public domain (see 1:34:00 on the above referenced webcast) He said, “the public comment is very one sided…it puts me in a somewhat precarious position.”
President Peevey also stated his frustration over those opposing the meters and said, ” I think it’s kind of sad, that we had so many people here this morning talking to us about how this technology will allow people to know when they are doing their wash, and all that kind of stuff and they all walk out and have no interest in hearing us adopt something [privacy and security rules] that is fundamentally what they seek. It’s extremely frustrating, but I guess that goes with life in the fast lane and public service…” Then he laughs. President Peevey is ignoring the main reason people are speaking at public comments and asking for immediate relief, to have meters removed because they are making people sick.
The next opportunity to speak to the Commissioners is on August 18 at 9 am at the CPUC in SF. (505 Van Ness Ave.) Prepare a one minute statement. Bring a few friends- It’s going to take hundreds of people showing up and demanding a halt to this program.