FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Hart,
StopSmartMeters.Org
Tuesday, November 1st 2011
[email protected]
PG&E BEGINS REMOVING 'SMART' METERS DUE TO HEALTH EFFECTS
Widening Call for Immediate Return of Analogs; Disconnection of "Mesh"
Wireless Network
SANTA CRUZ, CA.---Just as PG&E enters the final phase of its deployment
of wireless "smart" meters in California, the largest of the state's
Investor Owned Utilities (IOU's) has reversed course, quietly beginning
to replace the 'smart' meters of those reporting health impacts with the
old trusty analog version. Consumer rights and health groups
immediately seized on the news, demanding that millions of Californians
unhappy with their new wireless meters get their analogs returned
immediately at no cost.
'Smart' meters are new wireless utility meters being installed as part
of the "smart" grid initiative, spearheaded by technology firms and
backed by the Obama administration and the Department of Energy.
Promises ranging from lower utility bills to enhanced renewable
generation capacity have failed to materialize, with widespread reports
of higher bills, privacy violations, fires and explosions, and commonly
reported health impacts such as headaches, nausea, tinnitus, and heart
problems associated with powerful wireless transmissions. Widely
disparate political groups- from members of the Green Party to the Tea
Party and Occupy protesters have attacked the program, and dozens of
grassroots organizations have sprouted up over the past several months
to fight what they call an undemocratic, unconstitutional and dangerous
assault on people in their own homes and neighborhoods. Dozens of
people have been detained or arrested for peaceful civil disobedience
and even simply speaking out against deployments.[1] Read Less
<http://stevebeckow.com/#>
In California, more than 47 cities and counties have demanded a halt to
installation, and a dozen local governments have passed laws prohibiting
the controversial technology. [2] The 'smart' meter issue has further
angered a public already seething at the utilities over repeated gas
explosions, safety breaches at nuclear reactors, and an increasingly
extortionate rate structure. Word of California's 'smart' meter
nightmare has spread across the country and around the world, prompting
some utilities to place smart meter plans on hold, and recently Nevada's
PUC to call for investigations into the health effects and other smart
meter problems.[3]
Now in a dramatic turnaround that could signal the beginning of a
widespread recall of wireless 'smart' meters, on October 28th PG&E
re-installed a classic spinning disc analog meter on the home of Santa
Cruz, CA resident Caitlin Phillips, who had been suffering headaches and
other symptoms from her 'smart' meter. The move comes in response to
verbal directives from the California Public Utilities Commission
President Michael Peevey, who recently told members of the public that
the utility "will provide for you to go back to the analog meter if
that's your choice." The CPUC has been slow to respond to thousands of
ordinary citizens reporting health effects from the new meters.
When a Wellington Energy installer (contracted with PG&E) came to
install a smart meter at her home, Caitlin asked the installer to get
off her property and not install, because of what a neighbor had told
her about possible health damage and privacy violations. "When I
returned home later, I discovered a smart meter on my house. That
night I awoke to severe anxiety, headache, and buzzing in my teeth, and
realized the new smart meter was on the other side of the wall from my
bed." Caitlin reported her experience to PG&E and the CPUC, who both
declined to rectify the situation. When the symptoms persisted, Caitlin
sought the assistance of the Scotts Valley based group Stop Smart
Meters! who provided an analog meter and referred her to a professional
who could help her remove her 'smart' meter. As soon as the analog was
installed, Caitlin's symptoms disappeared.
Frustrated and outraged about her treatment by the utility and the PUC,
Caitlin travelled to San Francisco to speak at a commission meeting on
Oct. 20th. About a week later, PG&E crews were at her house replacing
her temporary analog meter with a brand new official PG&E analog meter.
This is believed to be the first time PG&E have willingly replaced an
analog meter on the home of someone suffering from health effects.[4]
An "opt-out" proceeding overseen by an Administrative Law Judge is
underway at the CA Public Utilities Commission, yet those suffering (in
some cases severe) health impacts have been stuck in limbo as utilities
refuse to remove the harmful meters upon request- until now.
"There are hundreds of thousands- if not millions- of people suffering
in their homes from forced 'smart' meter radiation," said Joshua Hart,
Director of the grassroots organization Stop Smart Meters! "The
utilities and PUC's must respond promptly to all requests that analogs
be returned. The alternative is that people will increasingly turn to
independent professionals to remove unwanted 'smart' meters from their
homes, a reasonable action we assert is within our legal rights.
Protecting your family's health is not tampering."
PG&E and other utilities have also been responding to health complaints
by replacing wireless 'smart' meters with digital meters that are
"wireless-ready." These digital meters have been associated with health
problems from "dirty electricity" frequencies that pass into a home via
the electrical wiring. These "trojan horse" meters have been roundly
rejected by those who report continuing health impacts after
installation. Susan Brinchman, Director of San Diego based Center for
Electrosmog Prevention. said "At this point, the burden of
responsibility is on the utilities to demonstrate that any new meter
they want to install on our homes is safe. Communities have the right
to retain analog meters at no extra charge. Period."
~end~
[1]
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2010/12/29/2-arrests-at-pge-smartmeter-protest-in-marin-county/
[2] Full list of opposed local governments:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/how-you-can-stop-smart-meters/sample-letter-to-local-government/ca-local-governments-on-board/
[3]
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/25/nv-energys-smart-meters-be-investigated/
[4] Video of the switchout can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IjC4BEZxLg
--
Joshua Hart
Director, Stop Smart Meters!
http://stopsmartmeters.org
