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Smart MetersNational smart meter protest? Small group tries to make big waves
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Sep 25, 2012
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Quick take: In today's world of social media, even a tiny group can make waves around the world. When it comes to the overthrow of tyranny, that's probably a good thing. When it comes to a fringe group stopping progress for the rest of us, maybe not so good.
Just for the record -- we don't object to people who sincerely believe that meters emit harmful radiation (though we do wonder why they didn't protest when microwave ovens and cellular phones were introduced). We think they should be allowed to opt-out as long as they bear the burden of the extra cost. But we do object to those who want to impose extremist solutions on the rest of us. Denying the rest of the country the benefits of smart meters to satisfy their own unusual and unfounded "health" concerns is unfair.
Here's hoping the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative and other industry groups will continue to foster an educated opposition to these extreme positions. – Jesse Berst
Smart meter opponents are calling for a National Day of Action on Oct. 4 to demand an immediate moratorium on smart meter installations, citing "thousands of instances of ‘smart’ meter fires, health problems, and violations of privacy laws."
According to a post on stopsmartmeters.org, the action is being organized by the National Campaign to Stop Smart Meters and Wireless Radiation Protection Coalition. Not coincidentally, the demonstrations are timed to occur during the annual GridWeek conference which runs Oct. 2-4 in Washington, D.C. Campaign organizers say the National Day of Action protest will take place in D.C. and elsewhere around the country.
“Like any defective product, whether automobile, food or drug, these meters require an immediate product recall," suggests campaign spokesperson Joshua Hart. "Analog meters are safe, accurate, and last for 80 or more years. My grandmother used to say, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Utilities and governments now need to take responsibility and fix the mess they’ve created.”
More on smart meter backlash…
Smart meter showdowns: PUCs step it up on fire safety, health effects
Smart meters: A human rights issue in Canada?
Texas woman pulls a gun to stop smart meter installation
Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.
| Health Experts from 20 Countries Caution About Smart Me |
| MONTREAL, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - 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, say 54 experts who have authored hundreds of peer-reviewed studies on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. "Adverse neurological effects have been reported in people who sustain close proximity to wireless meters, especially under 10 feet," says an open letter recently endorsed by the experts from 20 countries, including Yury Grigoriev, Chair of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Entitled "Smart Meters: Correcting the Gross Misinformation", the letter written by Dr David Carpenter, founder of the University at Albany School of Public Health, states notably: "Wireless smart meters typically produce… millisecond-long RF bursts on average 9,600 times a day with a maximum of 190,000 daily transmissions… People in proximity to a smart meter are at risk of significantly greater aggregate of RF/microwave exposure than with a cell phone, not to mention the cumulative exposure received by people living near multiple meters mounted together, pole-mounted routers or utility collector meters using a third antenna to relay RF signals from 500 to 5,000 homes.'' "Many scientists and medical experts urgently recommend that measures following the Precautionary Principle be applied immediately — such as using wired meters — to reduce biologically inappropriate microwave exposure.'' Full text and list of the 54 experts : http://tinyurl.com/rfmeters Summary by UC Berkeley School of Public Health: http://www.prlog.org/11978228 http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1041159/health-experts-from-20-countries-caution-about-smart-meter-risks |
| Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D. - 09/25/2012 - 11:59 |
| Smart meters have no 'benefits' for you |
| There are no 'benefits' to 'smart meters', except to the corporations forcing them on us. The safety of these W.H.O. Class 2B 'possible carcinogens' has not been proven and is very much in doubt. People did not complain when microwave ovens and cell phones were introduced because they are not bolted to the side of your home against your will and on 24/7/365...and they are on 24/7/365. The smart meter is just the start of an avalance of such devices...next you will need to purchase new 'smart' appliances. Wake up. |
| Ron Gordon - 09/25/2012 - 16:24 |
| National Smart Meter Protest |
| Inquiring minds should ask why Smart Meters are not UL approved when they are being placed on the sides of homes. ANSI specs are not the answer since they are set by the industry and not an independant body. |
| Paul Verchinski - 09/25/2012 - 17:55 |
| double speak |
| By definition, "progress" must produce an overall improvement in the human condition. Wireless smart meters are creating a "progress trap," bursting massive amounts of RF emissions into the air and negatively affecting power quality to potentially save some CO2 emissions. Even smart grid shills will admit that RF heats water molecules, so it would be wise for y'all to consider the effects microwave energy has on the atmosphere and climate change. The argument that those who opt-out should pay to do so is absurd. The smart grid is already socialized through our taxes and the ARRA of 2009, so it makes no sense that those who can see through this con would be asked to pay extra. If you believe you need a new computer or piece of software, would you expect someone who is content with their old system to subsidize your purchase? Should non-smokers be taxed to help pay for people's cigarettes? Maybe everyone should get a free government issued cell phone and those who don't want one should have to pay for the "privilege" of using an existing landline. If you really want a product that emits random and frequent bursts of harmful radiation, you should pay for it out of pocket and those who opt out, making do with their perfectly good analog meter, should get a refund. What it boils down to is that you are getting paid to pretend these things aren't dangerous. The "fringe" who are unafraid to stand up to this tyranny are receiving no money and are working to help people, not their bottom line. "Analog phobia" is a new condition where people become afraid of anything with moving parts, causing them to obsessively replace functional equipment with digital gear. Is it really so hard to read those little dials and report your usage by phone, email or post card? You don't need a smart meter to turn off a light switch or turn down a thermostat. |
| Matt Fisken - 09/25/2012 - 17:57 |
| You are misinformed, smart meters unsafe |
| American Academy of Environmental Medicine Recommendations Regarding Electromagnetic and Radiofrequency Exposure (7/12/12) Physicians of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine recognize that patients are being adversely impacted by electromagnetic frequency (EMF) and radiofrequency (RF) fields and are becoming more electromagnetically sensitive. The AAEM recommends that physicians consider patients’ total electromagnetic exposure in their diagnosis and treatment, as well as recognition that electromagnetic and radiofrequency field exposure may be an underlying cause of a patient’s disease process. Based on double‐blinded, placebo controlled research in humans,1 medical conditions and disabilities that would more than likely benefit from avoiding electromagnetic and radiofrequency exposure include, but are not limited to: • Neurological conditions such as paresthesias, somnolence, cephalgia, dizziness, unconsciousness, depression • Musculoskeletal effects including pain, muscle tightness, spasm, fibrillation • Heart disease and vascular effects including arrhythmia, tachycardia, flushing, edema • Pulmonary conditions including chest tightness, dyspnea, decreased pulmonary function • Gastrointestinal conditions including nausea, belching • Ocular (burning) • Oral (pressure in ears, tooth pain) • Dermal (itching, burning, pain) • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction (dysautonomia). Based on numerous studies showing harmful biological effects from EMF and RF exposure, medical conditions and disabilities that would more than likely benefit from avoiding exposure include, but are not limited to: • Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 2‐6 • Neurological conditions (Headaches, depression, sleep disruption, fatigue, dizziness, tremors, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, decreased memory, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, visual disruption). 7‐10 • Fetal abnormalities and pregnancy. 11,12 • Genetic defects and cancer.2,3,13‐19 • Liver disease and genitourinary disease.12,20 Because Smart Meters produce Radiofrequency emissions, it is recommended that patients with the above conditions and disabilities be accommodated to protect their health. The AAEM recommends: that no Smart Meters be on these patients’ homes, that Smart Meters be removed within a reasonable distance of patients’ homes depending on the patients’ perceptio |
| Susan Brinchman - 09/25/2012 - 19:51 |
| AAEM Recommendations part 2 and link |
| Because Smart Meters produce Radiofrequency emissions, it is recommended that patients with the above conditions and disabilities be accommodated to protect their health. The AAEM recommends: that no Smart Meters be on these patients’ homes, that Smart Meters be removed within a reasonable distance of patients’ homes depending on the patients’ perception and/or symptoms, and that no collection meters be placed near patients’ homes depending on patients’ perception and/or symptoms. Approved July 12, 2012 by the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine http://aaemonline.org/AAEMEMFmedicalconditions.pdf More real life science and medicine at www.smartmeterdangers.org and electrosmogprevention.org NEVER PUT AN ENGINEER IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH! |
| Susan Brinchman - 09/25/2012 - 19:56 |
| The author is a sheep |
| There was no need to protest the roll out of microwave ovens and cell phones since an individual has a choice as to whether or not they choose to be exposed to them, with no inherent risk to ones privacy. Smart meters are 24-7 whether you choose the exposure or not. They are being imposed upon us-- I am not a sheep and the government and the utilities companies are not my shepherd. |
| James G Smith - 09/26/2012 - 17:26 |
| Health Damage May Not Be Immediately Apparent |
| Smart meters pulse up to 190,000 times in a day. At that rate, a baby girl's ovaries are radiated 69 million times in one year, which translates to 1.4 BILLION times in 20 years. This is unacceptable and a violation of human ethics. |
| Kathryn Wesson - 09/28/2012 - 15:09 |
| Congressional Research Service, Feb. 2012 Report |
| In the report titled "Smart Meter Data: Privacy and Cybersecurity" published by the Congressional Research Service in February 2012, the authors, three legislative attorneys, conclude that smart meters are a violation of the Fourth Amendment and cite specific case law where SCOTUS has found similar invasive technologies to be unconstitutional. Furthermore, the report details specific areas of unconstitutional privacy intrusion [the following selection is quoted from the report] - "By combining appliance usage patterns, an observer could discern the behavior of occupants in a home over a period of time. For example, the data could show whether a residence is occupied, how many people live in it, and whether it is “occupied by more people than usual.” According to the Department of Energy, smart meters may be able to reveal occupants’ “daily schedules (including times when they are at or away from home or asleep), whether their homes are equipped with alarm systems, whether they own expensive electronic equipment such as plasma TVs, and whether they use certain types of medical equipment.” Link to the full report - http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42338.pdf |
| Mike Latoris - 09/28/2012 - 17:30 |
| are they safe in EVERY home? |
| My home is small, with copper plumbing, and old. The smart meter was installed in the summer; we closed the windows recently due to cold weather. It's quiet enough now in the house to hear a constant ringing noise. this is not my imagination. Nothing else about my life has changed. **I am sure the installers as well as every savvy person involved with energy technology knows that smart meters are not appropriately sized or calibrated for all neighborhoods or houses. Where houses are close together, and small, the effects of any one meter are magnified in a neighborhood over-saturated with telecommunications signals -- from each meter, and all meters combined, as well as the devices on phone poles (mini cell towers?) sending and receiving signals to and from meters and the energy companies. Some houses -- apparently mine, built in 1930 -- are not designed to accommodate these meters. The level of exposure to residents in different homes cannot be assumed to be constant. Some of us are getting fried! |
| Cathy A - 11/13/2012 - 13:44 |
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