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]
In California, more than 47 cities and counties have demanded a
halt to halt 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/
[4] Video of the switchout can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IjC4BEZxLg
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joshua Hart
Date: Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 6:49 AM
Subject: Press Release: PG&E BEGINS REMOVING ‘SMART’ METERS
DUE TO HEALTH EFFECTS
To: info stop smart meters <info@stopsmartmeters.org>
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