RefuseSmartMeters posted the following message and photo:
Anonymous patriot gives thumbs up as the dangerous, “bio-hazard” smart murder meters are pulled down on 11/11/11 at 11AM from Southern California units.
Industry tested and time proven “safe” analog meters were reinstalled to protect the residents from further harm. Anonymous builds steel cages to prevent vandalism and keep intruders and thieves out.
Shown here the hero gives the utility company a final message!
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.”
Brian Stein is a CEO of a UK company and is speaking about his EMF sensitivity, also known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). His video is a warning to others about the risks of cell phone use, the signs to watch for and how governments and industry have covered up the health and safety risks.
Do your ears get hot when you use a cell or cordless phone? Do you experience discomfort or pain? These are the early warning signs he ignored and although tests revealed he did not have a brain tumor he’s been left with EHS, which he calls a nightmare. He must avoid many modern conveniences including computers and TV. Travel and vacations have become very difficult.
From Dr. Louis Slesin,
The latest analysis of the tumor risks among cell phone users in Denmark and the accompanying editorial brings to mind the old saying: “Trust your mother, but cut the cards.”
Be warned: Before you believe what you are told by the Danish Cancer Society or the Karolinska Institute or what you read in the British Medical Journal, check out the facts for yourself.
As for IARC, there seems to be an internal dispute going on as to whether it should take seriously its own panel’s decision to designate cell phone radiation as a possible cancer agent. It’s not clear what side IARC Director Chris Wild is on.
Read our in-depth report on the latest example of bias run amuck on cell phones and tumors: http://www.microwavenews.com/DanishCohort.html
In April of 2010 the EMF Safety Network filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asking for hearings on health impacts, including “Smart” Meter radio frequency (RF) emissions data. We wrote:
“PG&E’s paltry, inconsistent and contradictory information on RF emissions from Smart Meters is unbelievable and at odds with other RF expert findings. Several PG&E bulletins and spokespersons make varying claims on how often the Smart Meter electric meters transmit RF, anywhere from every hour to every 4 to 6 hours to 2% or 4% of the time.
We just wanted the facts, but the CPUC rubber stamped PG&E’s claims of RF safety and dismissed our application stating:
” All radio devices in PG&E’s Smart Meters are licensed or certified by the FCC and comply with all FCC requirements.”
“Smart Meters produce RF emissions far below the levels of many commonly used devices.”
PG&E provides information from Richard Tell Associates on their website titled, “Supplemental Report on An Analysis of Radiofrequency Fields Associated with Operation of the PG&E SmartMeter Program Upgrade System” This report states Smart Meters transmit at 1 watt with 0 antennae gain. It claims:
The 1 watt transmitter is configured to transmit data approximately once every four hours back to the company so its duty cycle is very small (the actual data transmission duration during any four hour period will vary, however, depending on how often a particular meter transmitter acts as a repeater for other nearby meters).
From PG&E’s Smart Meter FAQ: SmartMeters™ utilize a low power (1 watt) wireless radio to send customer energy-usage information wirelessly to PG&E for data collection.….Do electric SmartMeters™ constantly emit RF? PG&E answers:
No. SmartMeters™ communicate intermittently, with each RF-signal typically lasting from 2 to 20 milliseconds. These intermittent signals total, on average, 45 seconds per day. For the other 23 hours and 59 minutes of the day, the meter is not transmitting any RF.
In a letter to Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, the FCC writes, “the devices [Smart Meters] normally transmit for less than one second a few times a day and consumers are normally tens of feet or more from the meter face…”
All right, enough with the false claims! Just give us some real facts! Recently CPUC administrative law judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa ordered all investor owned utilities (IOU’s ) to answer Smart Meter radio frequency (RF) questions. PG&E’s answers are an astounding confession! Question 2: How many times in total (average and maximum) is a smart meter scheduled to transmit during a 24-hour period?
PG&E says the average number of RF pulses for the electric meter would be about 10,000, per meter, per day and the maximum number over 190,000.90% of these pulses are for the mesh network maintenance (signals bouncing from homes) and only 6 pulses are for reading the meter data. This doesn’t include Home Area Network transmissions.
How about peak power figures? The PG&E electric meter transmits at 900MHz with 1 watt of transmit power. It has an antennae gain 4.0 dBi for a peak level power of 2.5 watts. That’s two and a half times more than their safety data stated.
The wireless gas meters transmit between 4 and 5 times a day at 132-794 mW.
Answers provided by San Diego Gas and Electric and So Cal Gas were similar, although PG&E electric meters appear to be five times stronger, just like Sage Associates found in their study.
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.
Many people are stuck with a dumb utility meter they don’t want on their home. They call their utility company and ask for the analog meter back and their request is denied. Some people have taken matters into their own hands, bought an analog meter, hired an electrician and swapped the meter. The question whether or not this is legal based on tampering laws has been questioned. The EMF Safety Network hired environmental attorney Rose Zoia to investigate the legal risks of restoring analog meters.
Q: What is the definition of tampering with an electrical meter?
A: The California Penal Code states tamper “means to rearrange, injure, alter, interfere with, or otherwise prevent from performing a normal or customary function.” With respect to the provision of an utility, it is a misdemeanor to do (1) specified acts with the intent to obtain utility services without paying the full charge, or with the intent to enable another person to do so, or with the intent to deprive any utility of its full lawful charges for utility services. (2)
Those specified and prohibited acts include (1) diversion of utility services, (2) preventing any utility meter or other device used in determining the charge for utility services from accurately performing its measuring function by tampering or by any other means, (3) tampering with any property owned by or used by the utility to provide utility services, and (4) connecting or reconnecting with property owned or used by the utility to provide utility services without the authorization or consent of the utility.(3)
So, tampering is a misdemeanor crime which requires the specific intent to get the utility service for a lower cost than that charged by, among other things, preventing the utility meter from accurately measuring use by some means.
(1)§ 498, subd. (a)(6).
(2) Id., subd. (b); 18A Cal. Jur. 3d Criminal Law: Crimes Against Property
(August 2011), § 192.
(3) Ibid.
Q: Does replacement of a SmartMeter with an analog meter constitute tampering?
A: “The replacement of a SmartMeter with an analog meter should not constitute illegal tampering unless it is done with the intent to prevent the device from accurately measuring electrical use. Although the disconnection of the SmartMeter prevents it from recording electrical use, if such disconnection is not done with the intent to get lower electrical rates and a working analog meter that accurately records electrical use replaces the SmartMeter , the resident should be clear of any charges of tampering. “
So it seems as long as you are not attempting to steal electricity, swapping a meter would not be considering illegal based on tampering laws.
The City and County of San Francisco announced the nations first cell phone ordinance.
Recommendations from the city include:
• Limiting cell phone use by children: Developing brains and thinner skulls lead to higher absorption in children.
• Using a headset, speakerphone or text instead: Exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from the phone.
• Using belt clips and purses to keep distance between your phone and body: Do not carry on your body to at least meet the distance specified in your phone’s user manual
• Avoiding cell phones in areas with weak signals (elevators, on transit, etc.) Using a cell phone in areas of good reception decreases exposure by allowing the phone to transmit at reduced power.
• Reducing the number and length of calls: Turn off your cell phone when not in use.
The materials required under the ordinance include a factsheet, poster and stickers.
