REMINDER: Wed Feb 1- CPUC meeting 9 am San Francisco

Tomorrow the California Public Utilities Commission will vote on President Peeveys PG&E Smart Meter opt out proposed decision that charges customers a $75 initial fee and $10 a month, or $10 initial fee and $5 a month for CARE customers to retain, or restore an analog meter.

Peevey’s proposed decision is half baked. The Commissioners need to bring intelligence, compassion and respect to their decision making, rather than vote with good old boy politics. Please attend this important meeting.

Wed. Feb 1, 9 am 505 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco

Arrive by 8:45 to sign up to speak to the Commission on item 28. Shortly after public comments the Commission will address the issue and vote on it.

Revised PG&E smart meter opt-out proposal now available

The revised PG&E smart meter opt out proposed decision is now available.  This will come before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to be voted on at their business meeting on Wed. February 1 in San Francisco.

Here’s the highlights:  The opt out choice will only be the analog meter, not a “radio off” meter.  Customers can choose to either have a smart meter or an analog meter. The proposed interim cost is $90 initial fee per customer and $10 a month fee. For low income proposed fees are $10 initial fee and $5 a month.  This revision allows for a second proceeding to further analyze costs and community wide opt out.

For a quick review read the summary at the beginning and/or the Findings of Fact/ Conclusions of Law and the Order at the end of the paper.

Another Commissioner can submit an alternate proposal.  We will support an alternate proposal if it includes hearings on health impacts of smart meters and a no cost interim fee until the second proceeding is complete.  Failing a modification, or alternate proposal that includes these issues we will urge the Commission to reject the proposed decision.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Call or email the CPUC:  866-849-8390 or 415-703-2074

Refer to revised proposed decision 11-03-014.  Ask the Commissioners to:

  • Modify the revised proposed decision to include hearings on health impacts in the second proceeding, along with cost evaluation and community wide opt-out.
  • Provide immediate relief to those requesting it and restore the analog meters, however do not charge any interim fees for opting out.

Attend the CPUC meeting on Wed. February 1 at 9 am at the CPUC, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.  Plan to arrive by 8:45 am to sign up to speak to the Commission.  Prepare a 1-2 minute statement.

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?