Smart Meters - Public Service Commission

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throughout the US and Canada today, including Washington DC, Naperville IL, Detroit MI, Maui HI, and Santa
Cruz, CA. The wave of public protests is timed to coincide with “GridWeek,” a conference being held in
Washington D.C Oct. 2-4th by industry and government proponents of the ‘smart’ grid.
Citing thousands of reported health problems, ‘smart’ meter fires, and violations of privacy laws, the National
Campaign to Stop Smart Meters! and the Wireless Radiation Protection Coalition, along with more than
thirty-five grassroots organizations around North America, are holding an International Day of Action
today to demand an immediate halt to deployment - and a recall - of smart meters. ‘Smart’ meters are
digital, wireless devices that monitor utility usage and maintain continuous two-way communication between the
customer’s property and the utility company. Many utilities are replacing traditional analog meters on homes and
businesses in the US and other countries as a supposed energy-saving measure.
(For a full list of demonstrations, news updates, links to additional resource sand protest coverage
see http://actiondaytostopsmartmeters.org)
Opponents say that promised energy savings are failing to materialize, and point to the need for massive new data storage facilities, energy
consumption of the meters themselves, and the need for frequent replacement as evidence that “smart” meters are not “green.” They say
smart meter mesh networks in fact consume significant energy, and are causing numerous problems in communities where they have been
deployed. The “smart grid” is being charged directly to the customer through taxes and higher bills, and is costing thousands of meter
reader jobs during tough economic times. In response to these problems, there has been strong and sustained resistance from the public in
many regions.
HEALTH: ‘Smart’ meters emit strong bursts of microwave RF radiation that the World Health
Organization labeled a Class 2B carcinogen in May of 2011.[1] This is the same category of possible
carcinogens that includes lead, DDT, and chloroform. Studies show that the meters subject residents to
significantly higher levels of radiation than cell phones and wifi. The American Academy of Environmental
Medicine has warned people with medical conditions to avoid exposure. An announcement[2] by 54 scientists
and medical experts from 20 countries who have authored hundreds of peer-reviewed studies on the health
effects of electromagnetic fields last week warned of severe impacts of widespread pulsed microwave
exposure from the meters:
"Adverse neurological effects have been reported in people who sustain close proximity to wireless meters, especially under 10
feet....Children may particularly be at risk of developing electromagnetic hypersensitivity or diseases such as cancer from overexposure to
radiofrequency(RF) microwaves emitted by smart meters and other wireless devices."
PRIVACY: According to a Congressional Research Service Report[3], ‘smart’ meters will be able to reveal
people’s daily schedules, the use of individual appliances, certain medical equipment and other personal
information. The meters are “a detailed and warrantless information gathering device attached to our homes
and businesses,” said Ed Friedman, lead plaintiff in a smart meter case that has been remanded to the Maine
PUC after a victory in the Maine Supreme Court.
FIRES: Problems with internal wiring, and unprofessional, shoddy installations have been identified as potential
causes of hundreds of fires and electrical problems caused by ‘smart’ meters. The vast majority of the meters are
not UL certified. A series of 26 fires caused by the meters in Pennsylvania forced PECO Energy to suspend
installations in August, and this has sparked inquiries in Washington D.C., Maryland, and other states. A June
15th 2012 presentation by the Ontario Fire Marshal[4] analyzes the numerous smart meter fires being reported in
Canada and abroad and states:
“We encountered an unusual amount of fire incidents involving smart meters…prior to any proper investigation
the utility company had removed and replaced the meters from the affected areas…New meters may have
defects that cause electrical failures (or they may be caused by) careless installation during change over…”
Despite these recognized safety defects, utilities in many parts of the country are unlawfully forcing smart meters onto private property and
disconnecting people’s essential services[5] or charging them extortionate fees for refusing to accept a smart meter, even though the
meters are not mandatory by law.
10/15/2012