Illinois mothers were arrested for preventing the installation of “smart meters” on their properties. It could happen to you. Action Alert!
Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, has started the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative which requires so-called smart meters to be installed in every home. Residents opposed to the smart meters have been fighting the initiative for over two years.
One of those residents, Jennifer Stahl, refused to give utility workers access to her backyard through her locked gate. In 2011 Stall had spoken before the Naperville City Council to advocate against the smart meter program. The police were called, and the police sergeant said the workers had authorization to access the meter, but Stahl stood her ground. The lock on Stahl’s fence was cut, and when she wouldn’t step away from the meter, Stahl was handcuffed and arrested for “interfering with a police officer.”
“The city has always had and maintains the right to access our equipment, and today we were simply exercising that right,” Naperville City Manager Doug Kreiger told the Chicago Tribune.
Another Naperville resident, Malia “Kim” Bendis, was arrested on two misdemeanors for resisting a police officer and attempted eavesdropping when she filmed police on the scene, despite a recent federal court ruling that the state of Illinois’s ban on recording police officers in the line of duty was unconstitutional. The US Supreme Court upheld that ruling in November.
The group Naperville Smart Meter Awareness has filed motions to dismiss the charges and to grant temporary restraining orders for residents refusing the meters. There is a pending federal lawsuit as well.
As we reported in 2011, the meters work on a wireless radio frequency (RF) system, and many people are concerned about the meters’ threat to their health. There are already over 2,000 studies showing negative effects of RF radiation, despite the manufacturers’ safety claims. People with the meters installed on their homes have reported symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and tinnitus.
A growing body of research points to the health risk of RF and extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves. Studies show that RF radiation from cell phones have been linked to brain damage, early onset Alzheimer’s, senility, DNA damage, and sperm die-offs; the RF signal from smart meters is much stronger, so the effects will likely be proportionately dramatic. The World Health Organization reversed its stance on RF from cell phones, now calling them “possibly carcinogenic,” and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine has called for a moratorium on the installation of transmitting utility meters:
The current medical literature raises credible questions about genetic and cellular effects, hormonal effects, male fertility, blood/brain barrier damage and increased risk of certain types of cancers from RF or ELF levels similar to those emitted from “smart meters.” Children are placed at particular risk for altered brain development, and impaired learning and behavior….The American Academy of Environmental Medicine finds it unacceptable from a public health standpoint to implement this technology until these serious medical concerns are resolved.
Opponents of the smart meters have also cited security concerns, because the meters are capable of tracking exactly when a customer is using electricity, and opponents fear it would allow strangers to know when they are home or have gone to work. Some fear hackers could access that information.
The city maintains that homeowners can opt out of the wireless transmitters but only by substituting those with an alternative meter at a high fee. The Tribune reports there is a $68.35 initial fee for the alternative meter plus a $24.75 monthly fee for manually reading it. Stahl said residents who want a non-wireless meter should not have to pay for it.
The arrests that happened in Illinois could happen in your state. States have a patchwork of laws governing whether residents can opt out of smart meters, and whether there is a fee associated with opting out. These other states allow residents to opt out of having a smart meter: California (up to a $75 analog meter set-up fee and up to a $10 monthly reading), Maine ($40 set up, $12/month), Maryland (fee to be determined, but a grassroots coalition is planning to introduce a bill to eliminate the fee), Michigan (proposed $87 fee, and $15 monthly), Nevada ($108 opt-out fee for northern NV and $99 for Southern NV, $8 monthly charge), and Oregon ($254 analog set up fee, $51 monthly charge).
In other states, there is no alternative option offered. For example, in Virginia, residents have been told to accept the meter or have their electricity turned off. The problem, of course, is that electricity companies are usually government-supported monopolies, so they really don’t have to worry about what their customers want.
Action Alert! In New Hampshire and Virginia, there is legislation pending that would require customer consent before installing a smart meter; a bill in Maine would eliminate the opt-out fee. If you live in one of these states, we have a special, targeted action alert on these bills. If you live in any state that has no opt-out law, or an opt-out law for a fee, please contact your legislators today and demand that opting out of the smart meter be free of any fees. Please take action immediately!
New Hampshire
Support HB454, a bill that would allow a smart meter opt-out.
New Hampshire Action Alert
Virginia
Support SB 797, a bill that would allow a smart meter opt-out.
Virginia Action Alert
Maine
Support LD 94, a bill that would remove the smart meter opt-out fee.
Maine Action Alert
California, Michigan, Nevada, and Oregon
Tell your state legislators to pass a law prohibiting utilities from charging customers a fee just because they want to opt out of having a smart meter installed on their property.
Action Alert
All other states
Your state needs a bill that would prohibit electric utility companies from installing a smart meter on a customer’s premises—or requiring a customer to use any advanced meter—unless the customer has requested it, without having to pay a fee.
If your action alert doesn’t go through, you’re in luck, your state either already has a free opt-out law, or has no plans to install smart meters at all.
Action Alert
I disliked to have smart meter in my home. I hate someone wake me up every notes. I really want to remove it out of my townhouse a.s.a.p.
Thanks,
Ms. Ahern
My electric supplier never told us that they would be installing smart meters. Did not give us the opportunity to decline. I came home from work one day and the meter was installed.
We have been immersed in radio waves since the birth of radio communications. Commercial radio and television operates in both the HF, VHF, and UHF regions. Amateur, Fire, Military, and Police radios operate in the same regions. And then you have your home WiFi and Bluetooth networks, as well as cell phone networks. And, oh yes, don’t forget your cordless telephones that operate in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz spectrums. And, opps, I almost forgot Dish and Direct TV, as well as all those active radar systems.
Our electrical grid is based on 100 year-old technology, which explains why we have so many power outages. We should have switched to a smart grid 50 years ago, but change comes hard for some people, even when they will benefit from the change.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
If you have a disagreemnet with a potentially energy saving system (smart grid technology) you should be willing to live WITHOUT electricity. Those who fear the RF communication method should also throw out their cell phone (a MUCH greater threat ), their cordless phone, their garage door opener and many remote controls commonly used in their home.
Alternatives that can be reasonably explored would be hard wired telephone line systems that would not use RF communication but if someone wishes to ‘opt’ out they should shoulder the costs not expect to force their neighbors to pay for these expenses.
The hypocritical techno-grouches that fight any advance in energy technology yet gab for hours on their cell phones with their progeny on their laps are displaying their inability to rationally approach the social and environmental changes we will need to keep us from being buried in our own waste products be they sloid, liquid or gaseous.
Ignorant people in California are also blocking these environmental friendly meters which put out less radiation than a cell phone.
So, if they install a smart meter, just don’t pay the bill. You don’t need electricity that much, do you?
I want the State of New Jersey to offer a bill that allows residents to opt out with out a fee and to have meters taken out that are allreday installed’
Sincerely
Paul Lamb
from an educated friend who LIVES IN NAPERVILLE:
Really ridiculous. There are plenty of people in town who opposed the smart meters who simply signed the form saying they didn’t want it. These women & their group have been obnoxious about their opposition to it. Though most people agree arresting these women was a bit extreme, it is totally absurd (and apparently some news sources are REALLY taking advantage of the publicity to forward their own agendas) that this is even still newsworthy. You would not believe the lengths to which the city went to decide whether or not to even do the smart meters, the amount of town hall meetings, seminars, blah blah blah that were available so that people could complain, learn a bit more about them, etc. The fact remains that after ALL of that, the majority of the city thought they’d be a good idea, and these women who know EVERYTHING about the smart meters didn’t know they were supposed to fill out the form…?????
This is the first time I’m reading about ‘smart meters’. The article above doesnt describe what the meter is designed to do; i can only guess. I read about highly questionable actions on the part of the police but no reasons where given as to why they did what they did. Please write this again in view of what this article unintentionally omitted. Otherwise, this article reads as an irresponsible alarmist piece, which fails to raise the public’s awareness about what’s at stake.
This is the first time I’m reading about ‘smart meters’. The article above doesnt describe what the meter is designed to do; i can only guess. I read about highly questionable actions on the part of the police but no reasons where given as to why they did what they did. Please write this again in view of what this article unintentionally omitted. Otherwise, this article reads as an irresponsible alarmist piece, which fails to raise the public’s awareness about what’s at stake.
This is the first time I’m reading about ‘smart meters’. The article above doesnt describe what the meter is designed to do; i can only guess. I read about highly questionable actions on the part of the police but no reasons where given as to why they did what they did. Please write this again in view of what this article unintentionally omitted. Otherwise, this article reads as an irresponsible alarmist piece, which fails to raise the public’s awareness about what’s at stake.
This is the first time I’m reading about ‘smart meters’. The article above doesnt describe what the meter is designed to do; i can only guess. I read about highly questionable actions on the part of the police but no reasons where given as to why they did what they did. Please write this again in view of what this article unintentionally omitted. Otherwise, this article reads as an irresponsible alarmist piece, which fails to raise the public’s awareness about what’s at stake.
This is the first time I’m reading about ‘smart meters’. The article above doesnt describe what the meter is designed to do; i can only guess. I read about highly questionable actions on the part of the police but no reasons where given as to why they did what they did. Please write this again in view of what this article unintentionally omitted. Otherwise, this article reads as an irresponsible alarmist piece, which fails to raise the public’s awareness about what’s at stake.
Smart meters help with wise energy use, thus, with ameliorating climate change, which is the biggest threat ever to human health and continued livability of the planet. I encourage the use of smart meters and other positive technologies. Concerns about our exposure to RF waves are touted widely, with citations of wild impacts and ramifications. These claims must be judged wisely, and I consider the risks minuscule. Our cell membranes are not good RF converters. I have a lifelong concern with good scientific judgment. I am a career scientist with a Ph. D. in chemical physics and 35 years of experience in biology, including ecophysiology and global change. There is the only the tiniest evidence of effects of RF waves, and lots of trickery (remember the 4 or 8 cell phones positioned to boil water or cook an egg? Those videos were faked, with a microwave oven waveguide repositioned upward, as the hoaxers admitted on YouTube). There are dozens of things most people do in a single day that are far more risky than having a smart meter or even using a cellphone, including driving (with a cellphone!),…and even eating excessive supplements, esp. of antioxidants (see, e.g., The Myth of Antioxidants, in Scientific American, Feb. 2013 issue). Making a dramatic case out of an extremely tenuous health issue does not advance the cause of better health.
Can you say “Corporatocracy”?
The study showing the hazards of Smart Meters is frightening. Once again the politicians and the big companies are pushing us around and forcing these killers on the public. It’s hard to fight but, I have opted out of smart meters at my home in Calif.. of course we have to pay to opt out but, I don’t care. I do not want these electromagnetic poisons around me or my family. Let’s fight the heck of of this lunacy.
This has negitive effects on our health as does GMOs, and the Wall Street Banks “UNTOUCHABLES” STEALING OUR MONEY. This is a part of AGENDA 21, which I understand has been stopped in California. American’s need to stand up to the FRAUD, ABUSE by those who control our Gov. Officials. Manipulation, poisoning of our FOOD, LAND AND AIR. Stop the Keystone Pipeline, and FRACKING ! IT WILL NOT BENEFIT AMERICAN’S monitarily or health wise.
Very informative of a frightening violation of privacy rights and human rights for safety and health.
Thank you. This will be forwarded, posted, and I am taking action now. Blessings to the women in Illinois who stood their ground. I commend them for their strength, integrity, and willingness to uphold their rights as human beings.
With Gratitude,
Roxanna L Rutter
This is the same RF that cell phones, the radio in your car, and any home wi-fi network runs on. In populated areas, such as Naperville, the signals are not stronger than what comes from any of these sources. I find it unlikely that these individuals are not using a cell phone, listen to a car radio, or go places with wi-fi (like Starbucks).
With smart meters, the utility company no longer has to send someone to read a meter – saving both the person’s time and the gas needed to get there and idle the vehicle while the meter is read. Smart meters should be embraced for this reduction in greenhouses gases alone. The extra cost is to send someone out. If a person who declines a smart meter does not pay for it, the rest of us do. I don’t want to pay for someone else requiring greenhouse gases to be emitted when no one profiled thus far have removed themselves from other wi-fi sources which are just as prevalent in our society.
If arrests are over access to energy devices on private property, utility company needs to put meters on public land where no encroachment exits. With wireless technology ruling there is no sound reason a meter needs to be connected to private domains. An arrest over access to energy meters v restraining order over access to private property begs a basic question, “does a person own his land or property in America or not?”
What kind of communism is in place with the fully corrupt police state and illumianties kicking into full speed. Wow they want us dead slowly. Sorry no smart meters in this house. We can get free energy now that’s been hidden from the rocket fellers 70 Years ago. Well a revolution is coming and many more wars. I’m ready to fight. No means no Demond’s burn
My friends is a doc who invented something to overcome the frequency
The issue having to do with these supposedly ‘safe’ devises is similare to the first machines TSA used to sreen airline passengers. At the time telling the public that they were safe, there was no appreciable threat of radiation and that they never saved the images. None of these statemensts turned out to be true.
why are the electric meters not like the water meters and only respond to a remote read request when the vehicle drives by.
I resisted having a Smart Meter installed. I was told that I had two choices: they could either replace my old meter, or just remove it, leaving me w/o electricity. I grumblingly allowed them to install it. Much to my surprise, I love it!! Only once in the past three years has the City resorted to rolling brown-outs; for alternate one-hour periods. Apportioning the power across the City sure beat going w/o power for extended periods.
But the major benefit is that the power company has also given me a Tendril monitor, which allows me to monitor my power usage by appliance; by the hour; by the day. Using that, I have figured out how to save the max on my power bill. Reportedly my electricity bills are now 58% lower than averages homes my size in this area. I like it!!
I have no clear idea about the health risk claims; but from a monetary viewpoint, I’m glad the power company forced me into using their Smart Meter. It has saved me hundreds of dollars — and taught me a lot about the way I use electricity.
“The Tribune reports there is a $68.35 initial fee for the alternative meter plus a $24.75 monthly fee for manually reading it.”
Here is what I will say when confronted with the monthly reading fee.
“I will deposit in advance an approximate yearly amount of my estimated bill IN ADVANCE with the electric company. Say my average monthly estimated bill is 50.00; I will deposit 600.00 IN ADVANCE; it is your to use interest free. At the end of the year I will mail in my reading of my electric meter. My meter will only need to be read by me once a year
Let us say my bill works out to be 550.00; I will send you 500.00 for the next year (550 estimated in advance minus 50 over payed last year).
If the electric company refuses this more than generous offer, I will protect myself from the “smart” meter with aluminum foil or what ever works. I will go as far as doing without electric power from this “company”.
I WILL NOT be poisoned by a “power meter”!
I do not want one of these new smartmeters.
I am just wondering when will all the madness end, and our government is really concerned about the health of this nation and it’s citizens?
There are serious questions about the amount of radiation which is emitted from the “Smart Meters”. Many of us have enough items in our homes already, and to add to it may not be in our best interest.
Please support the passage of a law prohibiting utilities from charging customers a fee just because they want to opt out of having a smart meter installed on their property. Thank you!
I can tell and it is very real about these E.M. F. ! We are electical beings & these will cause disturbance in our bodies! We have so much adversity already! Toxic, poison water! Our food is only a mere replica of the foods of yesteryear that use to keep us a healthy people! NO feeble people in the land!!! NO way should we HAVE to pay for something dangerous like these Wireless meters which of course is no brainer they would cause our bodies harm. Why must the customer always take the hits costs & detrimental side effects! Really tired of being your guinia pigs
A further thought about smart meters:
Meters for apartments or condominiums are usually grouped together for several, or even many units. Those living immediately adjacent to such a grouping of meters would receive many more times the RF than someone with a smart meter on a single residence. It doesn’t do much good for that individual living adjacent to a group of meters to opt out, if even a few of the other residents allow smart meter installation. Legislation has to be written to take into account the rights of those exposed to these even higher levels of RF in these situations.
I believe that this is an invasion of privacy, and a violation of civil rights . This forces a person to have a device that they may feel is harmful to thier health put upon their private residence.
Please do Not Allow this to be forced upon people.
I understand the concerns people have for the safety of smart meters, but shouldn’t those who opt out shoulder the extra cost of monthly visits and manual input of data? With the economy as it is costs keep going up and somehow seems unfair for everyone to pay higher energy costs to subsidizethose requiring special consideration. I guess the elections have opened my eyes a little. Everyone wants something but they don’t want to pay for the service. Taxes can’t cover everything, no one is willing to pay more taxes right now, and companies have no intention of stiffing their stockholders of even a penny of profit even if it’s the right thing to do. Something has to give. We need to take personal responsibility for things right now and pay our way once in a while. Either that or accept the additional fees and taxes needed to cover everyone regardless of whether or not we want it. At least by accepting a higher cost personally we insure that others, struggling to make ends meet just like us, won’t have to pay for our sense of entitlement. If I’m off base as far you are concerned, then quite possibly you are one of those who feel their entitlement is more important than that of others.
Citizens in this country should not be forced to allow installation of smart meters that can seriously damage their health. Utility companies along with the AMA and FDC are notorious for lying about the toxicity of products and technical innovations that come from special interests who line their pockets to gain access to us and our rights. Forcing smart meters violates the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When people start to become ill from this technology, no one is going to be willing to pay the medical bills for the people’s lives they destroy. In addition, it is absolutely offensive to be penalized with an exorbitant fee for not allowing these meters. Where do these exploitative and twisted policies come from?
This info might have been nice to have had BEFORE my electric company changed out all meters in their area: about 2 years ago!
At that time, I could not think of a reason to object, but in the recent past, (several months) I have seen at least three articles regarding the danger of these meters.
How can I dispute it’s need and have it changed for the old style?
I was another resident in Naperville, Illinois that was threatened arrest. Even with medical issue and support from our medical doctors naperville said they didn’t care. We were told “WE (Naperville) will have 100 per cent complience. That is not a statement I ever thought I would hear in America.
I have a smart meter, because the fee charged for the other meter is not an option for me. I feel that as long as ther eis a law suit in play residents who object should not be forced to comply with something that could be a health risk.
Smart meters here in Naperville were never brought before residents and asked for our input. I am beyond angry…..
We do NOT want a Smart Meter and have told our Jemez Mountain Electric Coop to NOT take our analog meter away from us. We have a sign next to the meter and have a Chain around it to let them know that we are serious. We have sent a legal notice to the local Coop and to the HQ office, too, regarding our intentions. Our two neighbors here in this small mountain community have had smart meters installed; they use their homes for vacations and were not around to see that the smart meters were installed.
It seems to us that we should be able to read our own meter and tell the Coop what the numbers indicate.
Thank you very much for this helpful email. We will forward it to friends in Maine & Oregon.
Glen Thamert & Myra Maher – POB 368 – Jemez Springs, NM 87025
There are smart meters and there are smart meters. Our local utility has a unit that transmits for a few seconds every 4 hours. I have confirmed this with an RF meter. They are using the meter for its intended purpose, to measure the use of electricity, not as a surveillance system
Most of the dangerous meters are also surveillance systems. A meter used as a surveillance system either needs storage capability or the ability to transmit data on a frequent interval or continuously. Electricity is billed on a monthly basis, therefore an electrical meter only needs to transmit for about 30 seconds once a month. There is no need for meters that pose health risks when the risk can virtually be eliminated by changing transmit interval.
I would like to know if these so called smart meters cause any harm inside our home, and are they different than typical radio waves? Please let me know as soon as possible. In the mean time I will contact our lawmakers and send them a letter or E-mail with this info as well as my wishes. Thank you for all the info you provide.
Clyde Miller
We have had “smart meters” on our house and barn for a few years and have not experienced the problems mentioned in your statement. It was nice not to have company trucks and meter readers on our property. I am sure the savings experienced by our power company have helped to keep our rates low (0.084/kwh)
this is America land of the free and home of the brave what right does any one have to place any thing connected to your personal home if you dont want it! When did we loose our rights, in 2008! Smart meters are nothing but a form of control which is what the Democrats want. Remember dictatorship starts at the top and is forced down our throats even if we dont want it, but remember we are in America and suppose to be governed not controlled!
pleass all people wake up and don’t let utility copanies put smarl meters on your property
with out your permission.
here in florida they are casuing all types of physicalk problems for the people living in these homes.
for myself i have all types of alergies and cannot take this.
please let all the officials know about thie. it is been shown where it doesn’t not save the home owner any dollars only the utility companies
Here in Gwinnett County GA they just said they were doing it, and as far as I know they did – my meters are on the side of the house outside the fence. Your headline is deceptive – are any of these meters IN a house? In the story we find that they are on the outside of a house, but may be inside a gated yard. It’s not clear to me what the objection is. The purpose of the technology is to allow the meter to be read from a truck on the street instead of by the driver climbing into the shrubbery – this saves time and money. With the meter behind a gate, it also saves the delay of the driver verifying that there is not a dog that may not like him.
My government has no business telling me what I can or cannot have in my home-or attached to my home. Keep this junk away from me!
SMUD, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, will not allow residents to “opt out” after a particular time period has passed. Since most folks don’t even know about the dangers of RF emissions, SMUD’s stance is unacceptable.
PG&E on the other hand, WILL allow customers to “opt out”. There is a fee.
If these are the meters that techs can read from their trucks you are speaking of they are standard issue in New Mexico whereIlived for 15 years they never asked they just came and changed the meter one day said they had repairs and upgrades to make and started reading the meter long distance.I wonder how many other places have them and just don’t know?
I don’t really know what to say about this because it’s unthinkable. Forcing someone to get something like this is like forcing a luddite into a smartphone or some other similar techno gadget that actually doesn’t improve life unless you think it does. If you think it does, then you get one & leave others alone about it. Same for “smart meters”. And handcuffing someone over such a thing!? Wait a few years and the guilty sting of that memory will send those officers onto the couch or into the bottle. Live and let live, and let people choose how to live within the parameters of harmlessness. Simple. Kind. Functional.
The meters work on a wireless radio frequency (RF) system,….Everything is wireless, I guess you need to stay off your computer, etc…Did you know that almost everything that you buy, encluding your underware… has RFDI chips in them? Yes, Walmart will not even purchase anything without the chip, so that it can be traced for inventory. I will tell you this…trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH…..You will not get away from the wireless and RFDI chips…but the Lord will protect you IF YOU BELIEVE…
These citizens could opt out of the grid all together by installing a solar system with battery back up. Solar is cheap enough now, $1 a watt for panels, that a 10 ~ 15 KW system could be installed for about the cost of a new SUV. It will pay for itself and then generate free electricity for probably 50 years or more. I have run our homestead on solar and wind, (with the recent addition of a small quiet Honda 2000i gas generator) for about 30 years.
My submission to The Miami Herald-
In Fred Grimm’s ‘In My Opinion’ article titled, ‘What those smart meters really do’, he takes the very serious issue and devolves it into halfhearted portrayal of only people opposed to the smart meters are those that fear it is a plan for The U.N. to secretly send private information of the smart meter users. Making the only reasons for the people to oppose the smart meters seem like delusions from a crazy people. As Alliance for Natural Health’s article ‘Allow a Smart Meter in Your Home—or Face Arrest!’ Internet article points out, ”Illinois mothers were arrested for preventing the installation of “smart meters” on their properties. As we reported in 2011, the meters work on a wireless radio frequency (RF) system, and many people are concerned about the meters’ threat to their health. There are already over 2,000 studies showing negative effects of RF radiation, despite the manufacturers’ safety claims. People with the meters installed on their homes have reported symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and tinnitus.”
The other problem that is completely ignored by Mr. Grimm is that with these meters transmitting their own readings, there is no need to hire meter readers. Thus, that adds to the huge number of people that are unemployed and cannot buy what are employers sell. Mr. Grimm article communicates that in so many words, smart meter saves customers money; however, As Alliance for Natural Health’s article ‘Allow a Smart Meter in Your Home—or Face Arrest!’ Internet article points out, “The problem, of course, is that electricity companies are usually government-supported monopolies, so they really don’t have to worry about what their customers want.” Thus, he ignorantly forgets that electricity companies are usually government-supported monopolies having to pay meter readers is a drop in the bucket (compared to the huge profits they pull in) there are no reasons why these monopolies have to pass the costs of hiring meter readers on to their customers.
So with the obvious and scientifically proven health and unemployment problems caused by smart meters; one has to wonder if The Miami Herald’s usually better columnist Fred Grimm did any real research on his article or if he just took electricity companies’ talking points and made his article.
Jason Nall,
25050 SW 189th Ave.,
Community of Redland, NW of Homestead, Fl. 33031
(305) 898-4671
In Fred Grimm’s ‘In My Opinion’ article titled, ‘What those smart meters really do’, he takes the very serious issue and devolves it into halfhearted portrayal of only people opposed to the smart meters are those that fear it is a plan for The U.N. to secretly send private information of the smart meter users. Making the only reasons for the people to oppose the smart meters seem like delusions from a crazy people. As Alliance for Natural Health’s article ‘Allow a Smart Meter in Your Home—or Face Arrest!’ Internet article points out, ”Illinois mothers were arrested for preventing the installation of “smart meters” on their properties. As we reported in 2011, the meters work on a wireless radio frequency (RF) system, and many people are concerned about the meters’ threat to their health. There are already over 2,000 studies showing negative effects of RF radiation, despite the manufacturers’ safety claims. People with the meters installed on their homes have reported symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and tinnitus.”
The other problem that is completely ignored by Mr. Grimm is that with these meters transmitting their own readings, there is no need to hire meter readers. Thus, that adds to the huge number of people that are unemployed and cannot buy what are employers sell. Mr. Grimm article communicates that in so many words, smart meter saves customers money; however, As Alliance for Natural Health’s article ‘Allow a Smart Meter in Your Home—or Face Arrest!’ Internet article points out, “The problem, of course, is that electricity companies are usually government-supported monopolies, so they really don’t have to worry about what their customers want.” Thus, he ignorantly forgets that electricity companies are usually government-supported monopolies having to pay meter readers is a drop in the bucket (compared to the huge profits they pull in) there are no reasons why these monopolies have to pass the costs of hiring meter readers on to their customers.
So with the obvious and scientifically proven health and unemployment problems caused by smart meters; one has to wonder if The Miami Herald’s usually better columnist Fred Grimm did any real research on his article or if he just took electricity companies’ talking points and made his article.
I wonder if Tennessee does this. I know a couple of years ago the electric company installed a new meter at our house. I am to believe that it is less costly for the company to monitor the use of electricity. Is that the same thing you guys are talking about? I wasn’t given an option of using anything else. That was just the way it was and nothing I could do about it. I wasn’t even aware that there was a problem until I read this.
Hard to understand why government peace officers would arrest citizens who do not wish to have a meter attached to their homes that research has shown to be detrimental to human health.
Potentially unhealthy readers do not serve people, they serve the utility companies which are monopolistic and need no further help.
The radiation from Smart Meters is not continuous; rather, it is less than a very small fraction of a second, one time per hour (sort of like a photographer taking only one snapshot, in bright sunlight per hour). This extremely short burst of electromagnetic energy only once per hour hardly constitutes any danger to our health! Even if the transmission emitted from these meters is greater in amplitude than that from a cell-phone, the distance one is from their meter, compared to having the cell-phone against one’s head, greatly overcompensates for the higher energy output from the meter. As for privacy issues, a hacker would not view energy usage from a given meter in real-time; this information is only accessible the day after, which tells the hacker nothing about what you are doing today! The arguments against Smart Meters are totally absurd!
@GaryM. I don’t know where you’re getting your info from. Our meters transmit continuously and in real time. That is why you can “adjust” your consumption in real time. They “talk” to each other continuously to relay information such as outages, use, power demand, etc. So, it is NOT a fraction of a second, it is constant, 24 hrs per day, 7 days per week. And hackers can get information, and hackers can shut the whole thing down. The FED was just hacked, the Dept. of Energy was hacked 2 days ago. You think Naperville is safe, think again. The city’s website, internet, and email was hacked in Oct. 12, and was down for over 3 weeks. You should do a little more research on the subject.
Your argument is like saying if I am stabbed by an icepick very quickly it wont hurt me. The pick is very small and it was only in my body for a very short time so it can’t be that bad to be stabbed 24 times a day.
Install a faraday shiels around the meter saying you dont want to be exposed to EMF radiation! They will have a had time say radiation wont hurt you! The faraday shield will help protect you and if they object remind them they said it wont hurt you so whats wrongwith a little protection? they would have admit the meters emit radiation! By the way ytou can record anybody on your property, have a link to a wireless to send directly to a tv station, the tv station will love it! I have a dvr in my car and will not turn it off for anybody! A policeman does not have the authority to tell you to turn it off!. Make sure you stream the video to a remote location or tv station, the cops will have second thoughts when they know it is being sent to a station.
i do not understand the concerns here. but i do understand the benefits of smart meters. i’d really like to see proof of this harmful RF radiation. i work in the environmental field and i can tell you that 9/10 times, problems with smart meters come from a lack of willingness to be held accountable for the energy we consume. no one feels they have any responsibility in curtailing their consumption. US makes up 8% of the worlds population, but uses 26% of all the energy. while other parts of the world have to ride their bikes to the grocery store b/c gas is too expensive. wear extra clothes inside the house when they are cold instead of crankin’ up the heat….the list goes on of how PEOPLE adjust, NOT the environment around you. but we are spoiled in the US. and i say that as an american born citizen. Smart Meters are one step closer to accountability. Not all of us are energy hogs, but some are and they SHOULD be pointed out.
So people should be arrested when they disagree with having a “smart meter” installed? I think that is the issue here.
if you are posting to this website and not reading the proof that these smart meters are dangerous, have been attributable for several house fires, they are capable of transmitting data from every appliance in your home, multitudes of children near the big tower in SF have gotten leukemia. They are ready to have new software loaded into them once everybody has one which is capable of watching you in your own bedroom via your smart tv. All rates will be exponentially increased to time of use rates just as Obama promised when he said, “under my plans, energy costs will necessarily skyrocket.” you have to be ignorant and insane to condone this for you, your family and all Americans struggling to keep a thin dime in their pockets and while poisoned with GMO food, insurance premiums doubled and already impovershed Americans also have to return their tiny tax returns next year to big brother, via the new fines for not being able to afford the insurance policies. Why don’t you move to China….you’d love it there.
That’s why we are the United States and they’re not. If that sounds arrogant maybe it is but I’m tired of fools like you telling me I have to live like someone else.
As long as this represents a possible health risk, it should be termed ‘optional’ at the very least. Until potential problems are solved, they should be denied.
Jennifer and Kim may consider filing motions to dismiss the charges based on a lack of factual evidence that the code applies to them. Visit marcstevens.net for more on this.
One good EMP and your precious smart grid is toast. I’d rather go off grid. Many on the Big Island of Hawai’i are off grid, many are working on it, while many of us have future plans. My house was built with a bypass, so DC power doesn’t have to go through their meter. We hear all this blather from the government (but what else are governments good for other than taxing an punishing) about energy independence, but real energy independence is to completelycut away from the power company!
The very idea that any company or municipality can force a person to accept any technology that they do not want is wrong almost beyond comment.
I believe that the constitution of the U.S. has within it language, if not specifically stated, certainly interpretable as prohibiting, infringement upon the rights of any individual — and the actions described here as having been taken by these municipalities and or companies, unequivically falls under the heading of ” infringement”.
I am grateful for having received this information. My state representative and my congressman will certainly hear from me relative to this matter.
Thank you!
I think in this case its not so much as the company forcing a certain technology on an individual. Unfortunately you are purchasing a privately owned product ( your electricity ) from a company and they get to tell you the conditions of that sale. If you do not like those conditions you have some options. But forcing your conditions is not one of them. You have no God given right to that electricity. Nor do I know of any law that forces anyone to sell anything to an individual. As far as it goes a company has a legal right to refuse to sell you life saving medication under a lot of circumstances.
There are arguments on both sides of this issue however for the most part I am entirely in favor of the smart meters. As far as being arrested for blocking access to the property. I know that the power company in our state and many others is a private entity and they clearly state in their contract that they have access to any of their equipment at any time. This is a condition of their service to you. There is no law saying that a utility has to provide service to you. I know of several people that have been denied electric and or gas service for various reasons. You may or may not be able to block access to their meter. But I can assure you they would not have any trouble getting a court order to access it. In my locality the power company can specify any part of the the equipment they can connect to. If your equipment does not meet those specifications guess what you are no longer connected. My local water is provided by the city., and it has a somewhat “smart ” meter and we have a service charge if they must come inside to read. And there again our contract says they have a right to come into my house at “reasonable Hours” to access their property or they simply terminate service at the main line.
just go solar leave them in the dust
Denis Evans, I would LOVE to go solar, but being on SS Disability – it is totally cost prohibitive. Luckily so far, I don’t see this here in FL, but I’m sure it coming soon. They are already trying to get all rural folks to hook up to city water even though our water is clean well water. Someone up there is trying to control our water and power. Total outrage!!
Forcing any technology upon consumers who pay for their service (like digital tv, instead of analog) is an act of tyranny. Without guessing, this process/technology will benefit the 1% (wholly supported and backed by the government – that do not value nor support “we the people” upon which the Constitution of the United States is allegedly based). The 1% will benefit to the detriment of the health and will of the people who prefer to opt out. We are clearly now existing in a totalitarian state, ran by tyrannical criminals at the absolute pinnacle of all governments, whether, federal, state, local….finding a politician who gives a @#!$, about the “health and well being” of the voting/buying public, is like finding a penny in the Pacific Ocean!
One of the small joys in life is figuring how to tell that sort of instrumentation a lie.. Then they come out to “inspect” it and find nothing amiss.
I thought these things were only to sense when your air conditioner was running and then control it. We air condition with ground water so we don’t get one. If they are just nosy, the game is on.
I thought I read something that Duke in Ohio was putting them in a select area with plans to role out (on their website) more.
I live in Georgia and I demanded that the 3 smart meters be removed from my properties. The EMC was very nice and came out the next day and removed them. The price is $15 per month extra on my power bill, but I think it’s worth it not to be exposed to EMFs
Sherry, that is great news! I’m the owner of http://www.stopsmartmetersGeorgia.Org. If you have the time, I’d appreciate it if you’d drop me a line and let me know which EMC it was. We’re trying to get an opt out for all Georgians, and this information would help a lot!
Terri
[email protected]
Does any know where Michigan and AEP (electric company) stand on this issue?
The link above that lists Michigan for an action alert is not valid.
Hi Heath–I’m sorry the link isn’t working for you. Try this one: https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1346
When I try that, this is what it says in red letters:
This action alert is for residents of the following states only: California, Maryland, Nevada, Maine, Oregon
Thanks for pointing this out. We accidentally set the Action Alert to Maine instead of Michigan, but have since fixed it. It should work for you now!
I do oppose the mandatory installation of smart power meters described in the article or only allowing the homeowner to opt out at a price that is unreasonable & meant to punish. But I would not oppose the installation of a meter that only transmits an RF signal briefly after it is interrogated via RF. A second or two of RF once a month would not represent significant risk, I believe. ANH or anyone, do such meters exist?
Smart Meters – something to be afraid of? http://www.squidoo.com/beware-of-smart-meters
I suggest that you explain the “danger” of these meters before you lose credibility. These systems are usually used to shut down air conditioners during peak usage times. EVERYONES AC gets shut down for a few minutes to mitigate overloads. Everybody takes a turn. You won’t be paying for power you don’t use. This is for everyone with an ac. Most people don’t even notice.
I have never sided with a utility on environmental or consumer safety issues before, but this is baffling. What sort of radiation risk would there be from smart meters? These are using a cellular connection, but with a vastly smaller duty cycle than a normal cell phone – sort of like sending a text message every few minutes or hours. To mitigate the problem further, you are not holding the meter against your head as you do a cell phone. If you fear the RF radiation created by this device, then you should stay 50 feet away from any person carrying a cell phone that is turned on.
Could hackers intercept the signal? Maybe. It depends, in part, on what sort of encryption they are using. I think there are somewhat easier ways to find out when someone is home.
Lawrence,
There is a gap in your comments. As it was recorded with many presentations from amateur folks to field specialist wireless meters continuously emit signals due to quite complex infrastructure implementation and targeting to at least detect, and ultimately control any Wi-Fi enabled appliance in every household.
PG&E was ordered by a court in California to reveal actual smart meter transmission times and events. PG&E produced 14,000 pulses per day as average use with a range from 100 to 190,000 pulses per day, dependent on the position in a mesh.
Low level Wi-Fi radiation damaging issues are known for decades.
In the 1950’s Soviet Russia experimented heavily and was able to identify 31 discrete frequencies that had specific physiological impacts. In the 1960’s and 70’s the soviet government irradiated the US Embassy in Moscow with microwaves, pretty much matching the frequencies and at less power than smart meters and cell phones. Exposure was continuous. Staffing assignments ran from 2 to 4 years. Three ambassadors died subsequently of cancer. 16 clerical staff developed breast cancer later. Military personnel exposed to Radar developed cancer at rates double the expected levels. In 1975 the US Military issued a general warning that low level microwave radiation was dangerous. Radar workers found their fillings kept dropping out. It was discovered the radiation was ionizing the mercury in the amalgam which was going into solution and shrinking the filling (and poisoning the technician).
1976: US Defense Intelligence Records> Lists all health hazards of wireless devices and ended with the Observation “This should be kept secret to preserve industrial profit.” This echoed another 1950’s report ”If this paper comes known around the world, it will threaten military and commercial interests.”
This was described by Barrie Trower (UK authority) as the saddest and most despicable document ever published in history”. Trower has especially condemned the Health Canada Code 6 standard 6W/sqM (600uW/sqCm).
Lloyds of London Underwriters refuse to insure phone manufacturers against damage to users’ health.
WHO World Health Organization has classified microwave radiation 2B (possible carcinogen). This came after intense pressure from the USA. The original classification was to be 2A (probable carcinogen).
In 2006 a group of bioelectrical scientists formed a BioInitiative Group that produced the Bioinitiative Report (2007). This report…
This report reviewed all the evidence that established health dangers from electric field radiations. It was criticized by regulatory and industrial agencies because it did not give weight to studies that failed to show health dangers. This report was updated 2012 (Jan 2013) which concluded the evidence for health risks from EMR has greatly strengthened since 2007. Covering DNA damage, leakage of the blood-brain barrier, altered immune function, memory and sleep disruptions, sperm damage, increased incidence of child and adult brain tumors, especially glioma. Acoustic neuroma on the side of the head habitually used for phone, increased child and adult leukemias and breast cancer in men and women. Also apparent links to alzhiemers, ALS, autism, fatigue, hyperactivity and cardiac irregularities. In conclusion “Epidemiological evidence shows that radiofrequency [electric fields] should be classified as a human carcinogen. The existing public safety limits and reference levels are not adequate to protect public health.”
The BioInitiative report recommends 0.001uW/sqCm as a safe level for most people. This is 50,000 times lower than Health Canada Code 6.
The Russians have used their extensive knowledge to forbid routine exposure to microwaves to persons under 18 years of age. Russia, UK, India, Germany, Finland, Israel, Belgium, Toronto and recently China now specify that children and pregnant women should only use cell phones in emergencies, preferably on speaker mode. This is about 50% of the global population. Italy uses wired smart meters only.
Safe Schools 2012. Six medical associations in USA and other international medical bodies have concluded that WiFi should never be used in schools.
The BioInitiative report showed that for DECT cordless phones, (after 10 years use, average 30 minutes/day) the risk of brain tumors on side of head habitually used relative to other side.
470% greater occurrence of Glioma and 310% greater occurrence of acoustic neuroma.
There is a great amount of variation between estimates of smart meter irradiation in comparison to Cell phones. Cell phones concentrate radiation into the head, and are held close. Smart meters tend to whole body radiation at a greater distance. Smart meters run 24/7, cell phone use varies to personal habit. In terms of whole body dosage the estimates for Smart meters run from 5 to 450 times greater than cell phones. This is important when non cranial impacts are considered.
A 2012 study…
A 2012 study from Univ. of Athens has concluded that everyone is equally electro-impacted by EMF. All persons show the same effects in laboratory testing. Inflammatory markers go up, hormonal changes, copper changes, neurotransmitter changes, irregular heartbeats, higher blood pressure. Electro-sensitive people differ only in that they can sense these effects and are conscious of them and feel ill from them where others do not. Some doctors observe that health problems today differ substantially from those of 30-40 years ago and aggravation by EMR is believed to be the major change in the environment.
A study in Germany showed that cell phone towers increase cancer rates, but these effects only appear 5 or more years after start of operation. German industrially sponsored studies of EMR effects only run for four years.
The literature covering EMR biological effects is huge. There are thousands of papers. The best ones include large samples over long periods.
What I experience is burning in my head and face, squeezing in my chest and so much pain in my body that I have cried. I sleep in my car now and am looking to move. There are 6 smart meters attached to the outside all of our unit. This is no joke. Whether you feel it or not, you are being exposed to radiation. For me it is unbearable.
Hello I am in NJ I developed electrical sensitivities among respiratory probs after working a very toxic job for 16 yrs ..Anyway I am temporaily living with parents as I look for a house to buy … I feel horrible now since a guy moved next door put in a hidden stealth radio antenna ..Anyway now I’m hesitant to buy a house and have a meter forced on me . Now I cant find any info on what towns they are and when they are to try and install these . Then I thought about moving out of state as to get some a plece with some property between me and neighbors..My main plan since parents are older is to get a place here in NJ for a few yrs to help them but inevitably to move out of state in a few yrs possibly Va ..Then I thought ok what if you are successful in not having them install a meter on your house … Then later you decide to move and 90% of all houses have a smart meter in a few yrs , your basically stuck where your at the rest of your life , no? Do you think you could buy a house that had a meter then ask for it to be removed ? Im thinking once its on no way .