On May 21 Ken Herrmann went to the California Public Utilities Commission and spoke to the CPUC Commissioners during public comments. Here’s his comments on Memorial Day, civil rights and liberties, and smart meters.
“This coming weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those that have lost their lives in war. The last time I stood here was between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Through these three holidays together we give thanks for what we have as individuals and as a Nation, and give thanks to those that have given part, or all, of their lives for what we as Americans believe in.
The laws and Constitutions of this Nation are what best describe American ideals and what generations of Americans have sworn to support and defend, against all enemies foreign and domestic.
The Fourth Amendment of our Constitution states that “The RIGHT of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,”
The Fourteenth Amendment strengthens this Right to Privacy by stating “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”
And yet, and without argument, the “smart” meter, and system, has been designed and forcibly installed for the specific purpose of invading lawful property and privacies – by intruding behind the curtained windows and locked doors – of the homes and businesses of Citizens of these United States to discover exactly how, when, and why, consumer citizens use utility resources.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005, section 1252, provided, first, for the introduction of a time-based rate schedule, and then the installation of a time-based (“smart”) meter to enable customers to receive such a rate, both on a consumer request basis. As such the new metering system was designated as an OPT-IN program.
After ten years state utilities have never offered or provided a time based rate schedule, there is none.
State utilities in collusion with the CPUC have instead, and without individual consumer request, installed millions of “smart” meters and have instituted a punitive system of fees and threats of utility disconnections, the “opt-out” program, to demand Citizen compliance. This path and program meets the definition of Extortion in the United States Code Title 18, section 1951.
The “smart” system, as installed, is contrary to United States policy, general and Constitutional Law and any support for it is a violation of the Oath of Public Service to “support and defend our Constitutions against all enemies foreign and domestic”.
We memorialize those that have given their all for our Nation, yet the Privacy invasions, National Security and Health issues imposed by the “smart” system are a hard slap to every one of their faces.
The choice is simple: either abolish the “smart” meter system, or, denounce millions of Americans for their support and defense of the Principles and Freedoms of our Nation.
The only ethical and lawful answer to the “smart” system is… NO.
I pray that you all have a safe and non-hypocritical Memorial Day.”
Thank you for these comments.