By: Devvy
September 2, 2011
NewsWithViews.com
“The electromagnetic field is the perfect secret agent: you cannot see it, you cannot smell it, you cannot hear it, and its effects are slow but relentless.” -By Volter Hertenstein, MP Bavarian Parliament
I ask NWVs to post this column on a Friday because it does require many hours of reading to fully understand the issue. By necessity, this new column is two parts as I'm trying, as I did in my first column, to put as much credible information all together in one place to make it easier for everyone fighting this new silent killer. We're all pressed for time. Thank you to everyone who sent in reference material in our efforts to share the truth and what we can do to stop this madness.
There is a major war being waged in this country, although you'd never know it by the silence from the old, disgraced media (ABC, CBS, NBC) and all the cable "news" networks. This new assault on our bodies and privacy is over another relatively new piece of technology that allegedly will save energy; it will also cost tens of thousands of jobs for meter readers. When I say millions of Americans are up in arms over this, I am not exaggerating.
If you are unfamiliar with this issue, please read my first column first on this to get a full understanding of how dangerous those 'smart meters' are and why you don't want one on your home or business. It contains not only my battle against having one installed on my house (update in Part II), but the very best expert opinions from individuals who have studied wireless RF (radio frequency) for decades:
My fight against the 'smart meter'
Since that column was published, my email box has been overflowing with questions, which I will address as best I can in this column. Hundreds of emails describe how people's health has suffered serious deleterious effects after the meters were installed - before the individual even knew about possible dangers to their health. When I say utility companies are forcing this installation of those meters, I am not exaggerating. I know of one instance here in Texas where a utility company installation man forced his way onto the person's property and physically pushed the lady of the house mulitple times (in other words, he assaulted her) in his attempt to install the meter after she told him she did not want the meter installed and to get off her property. I have spoken with her on the phone, but due to legal reasons, cannot be more specific right now.
Wisconsin Utilities Bullying Customers Over Smart Meters
"The nationwide roll-out of transmitting radio frequency utility meters, known as smart meters, has intensified since the federal push and funding for them came through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Wisconsin utilities got $21.5 million of the $3.4 billion awarded for smart grid projects, including meter installation. But people who are sensitive to the effects of microwave radiation and electrical fields cannot tolerate the new source of emissions. And some Wisconsin utility companies have been bullying their paying customers who have resisted the installation of smart meters, or requested their removal for health reasons.
"In fact, the chronic bursts or pulsing of smart meters have not been proven to be biologically safe for anyone. Current federal standards are grossly out of date, not taking into account the growing levels of microwave radiation exposure people now get 24/7 from various sources. Furthermore, FDA/FCC standards are based solely on the heating effect of microwave radiation on a large, grown man, ignoring numerous studies that point to other effects, including irregular heartbeats, melatonin depletion, which affects sleep, and abnormal mast cell proliferation, which affects the immune system and inflammation levels."
Here are just two examples from California:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Wowak Enabling Illegal “Smart” Meter Installations
"Despite Public Outcry, Sheriff Refuses to Enforce County Law Banning Wireless Network - Santa Cruz, CA- "This morning at approximately 7:45am, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a “smart” meter protest at the Wellington Energy yard at 38th and Portola in the unincorporated Opal Cliffs area of Santa Cruz County where PG&E contractors Wellington Energy are based. Wellington has been installing wireless “smart” meters throughout the county, violating ordinances in Capitola, Watsonville, and the County[1] that prohibit installations due to urgent concerns about health impacts from the meters’ wireless pulses, which have been measured at 100 times the strength of a cell phone[2], as well as privacy violations, ongoing accuracy issues and a series of fires and explosions caused by the new meters.
"Thousands of people have submitted written health complaints to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and in May the World Health Organization made an earth shattering declaration- that non-ionizing radiation from cell phones, cell towers, wifi, and “smart” meters, has been linked with a number of cancers. “Smart” meter radiation is now categorized as a class 2b carcinogen in the same cancer causing category as lead, DDT, and engine exhaust.[3] Nevertheless, PG&E continues to maintain that their meters are safe."
Two More Arrested at Santa Cruz County Smart Meter Protest - PG&E Covering Logo on Trucks to Sneak into Backyards as Illegal Installations Begin
Santa Cruz County, Calif.- "Two people were arrested Friday afternoon by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Dept. for peacefully blocking smart meter installation trucks as they attempted to drive out of a yard in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz County. PG&E has stated that they do not intend to respect laws in Santa Cruz County, Capitola, and Watsonville that prohibit wireless meter installation- laws that were passed to protect the public from identified health and safety risks from the new meters. The two protesters who are affiliated with StopSmartMeters! were charged with misdemeanor obstruction, and released with court date in August."
Why are utility companies pushing so hard to install one of those dangerous meters on every house, apartment, retail and commercial building in this country? Because of something called the $2 trillion dollar 'Smart grid' and BIG money. Advocates for the 'smart meters' (especially those who stand to make billions of dollars destroying your body) claim they save energy. One State Attorney General doesn't see it that way:
State of Connecticut - Office of the Attorney General George Jepsen
Jepsen Urges State Regulators to Reject CL & Ps Plan to Replace Electric Meters
February 8, 2011
"To evaluate the technical capabilities and reliability of the advanced metering system, state regulators previously approved a limited study of 10,000 meters. Between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2009, CL&P tested the meters on 1,251 residential and 1,186 small commercial and industrial customers, who volunteered and were paid for their participation in the study. The company reported its results to the DPUC on Feb. 25, 2010. "The pilot results showed no beneficial impact on total energy usage," Jepsen said."
In addition to to the serious health risks from 'smart meters', the other major issue people have is privacy.
Spring 2011 - Industry Week - Leadership in Manufacturing
"The demand portion includes how to control energy inside the consumer space: smart meters on buildings, smart thermostats and smart appliances, to name a few." How to control your energy use in your own home. "In the initial stages of smart-grid development, companies, governments and consumers have focused on changing attitudes on the demand side, Geschickter says." Conditioning by those who will control how much power is "allowed" into your home, apartment, business. 'Smart meters' are nothing but surveillance without a warrant.
Billions of Taxpayer $$$ Wasted on Risky Technology
"This is federal coercion on a grand scale. President Obama is pushing to expose most U.S. citizens to constant radiofrequency/lectromagnetic radiation (RF/EMR) everywhere. Wireless broadband sends RF/EMR throughout an area rather than directly through a shielded wire or cable to the electronic device being used. Constantly exposing everyone inside and outside of their homes and workplaces in over 98% of the U.S. to unprecedented levels and frequencies of RF/EMR with wireless signals is a dangerous, unsanctioned, mass experiment done without consent that must not occur. This initiative risks our finances, our health, privacy, cyber security, the ability of people with medical device implants to function and more.
"If this radiation were a drug, increasing the dose and type would not be allowed without thorough evaluation of safety because like drugs, it can cause changes in the biology of the body. This radiation promotes degenerative diseases and premature aging even at levels of RF/EMR below FCC limits. Numerous other risks to human health from radiofrequency/microwave (RF/MW) radiation exposure, particularly to children and persons with disabilities, at levels below the current FCC limits are summarized in the review articles published in the March 2009 issue of Pathophysiology that are based on The BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF) (The BioInitiative Report).
"Many people who have developed a hypersensitivity to this form of radiation and struggle to shield themselves from increasing levels of this energy throughout the United States wonder where they can go to escape from the widespread wireless radiation of this proposal.
Smart meters send and receive wireless RF/MW signals throughout homes and businesses. These smart meter RF/MW levels are far higher than those already reported to cause health risks. Compliance is not safety, since the existing FCC safety limits are under challenge, and have already been called ‘insufficient to protect public health’ by some federal agencies.
"Medical Device Malfunction Risk from Electromagnetic Interference. Wireless broadband RF/MW radiation can cause medical devices to malfunction. Medical implants such as those to control the shaking of Parkinson’s disease are turned off by the electromagnetic interference(EMI) caused by the signal. Spurious RF signals are already reported in published studies to interfere with critical care equipment, ventilators, pain pumps, wireless insulin pumps and other medical devices."
Dirty Electricity - "Dirty Electricity tells the story of Dr. Samuel Milham, the scientist who first alerted the world about the frightening link between occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic pollution, and human disease. Milham takes readers through his early years and education, following the twisting path that led to his discovery that most of the twentieth century diseases of civilization, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and suicide, are caused by electromagnetic field exposure." Very important.
Health Concerns Grow:
Consumers Are Getting Sick From Wireless Smart Meters
Last year, one state says no to 'Smart Grid' --- for now
Smart grid technology rollout stalls in Hawaii
Hawaii regulators scuttle plan for expanded rollout of smart grid technology
HONOLULU (AP) -- "Hawaii regulators have rejected plans for a broad expansion of smart grid electric technology that would have been paid for by residents and businesses. Hawaiian Electric Co., the state's primary utility, had envisioned a $115 million smart grid project reaching 451,000 locations on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. But the utility's proposal fell apart when the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Monday denied a request for expanded testing of the technology on Oahu. The "smart grid" concept relies on installing new electric meters that can wirelessly communicate with the utility, allowing it to better distribute power and handle additional renewable energy."
Maryland PSC Denies BGE’s Stimulus-Funded Smart Meter Request - June 23, 2010
"The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) on Monday issued an order denying Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.’s (BGE’s) application to deploy smart meters to all its customers because ratepayers would be saddled with financial and technological risks. The move “deeply disappointed, frustrated, and frankly surprised” the utility, because the smart grid project had received a $200 million federal stimulus grant from the Department of Energy last October—the largest amount awarded to a utility."
Some progress has been made regarding protecting your privacy (you have to read my first column to get the facts on the mining of data from your home and selling it).
PG&E Smart Meter Invasion of Privacy - short video you should watch
Same threats I have received from Reliant Energy & ONCOR
Propaganda piece: Oncor Brings Smart Grid to 3 Million Texans, Privacy Intact
Oklahoma State House Passes Smart Grid Privacy Bill
Texas - Smart Meter Data Belongs to the Customer - March 17, 2011
"In Texas, lawmakers actually did something good related to the smart meter debacle– they included in the law that the data about your electricity usage belongs to you, the customer."
Can the data still be harvested from third parties tapping into the wireless transmission? I am told yes and it is happening.
After the cow is out of the barn:
California Decides on Data Access and Privacy Standards for Smart Meter Data
"Many young companies have sprung up based on being able to access consumers’ Smart Meter data and package it in some meaningful form."
Smart Meters and Security: Locking Up the Grid
"Public utility companies are really hot right now for smart grids -- electrical grids that use Internet technology and special meters to make energy delivery more efficient. However, they're getting static from both lawmakers and security researchers who say they're dragging their feet in making sure their systems are secure.
"Despite reports earlier this year about spies penetrating the computers that help control America's electrical grid, utility companies appear to be slow in clamping down on security, and that perception has led to a tongue-lashing from a House of Representatives committee.
"U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D, N.Y.) as accused the utilities of exploiting a loophole that allows them to avoid complying with Federal cybersecurity requirements. Also, a security researcher's revelations of flaws in the smart meters utilities are installing throughout the country added fuel to the fire."
That report was back in August 2009 and California has just now gotten around to issuing guidelines regarding data mining? Lovely.
As I mentioned in my first column, several individuals got together, pooled their money and hired an energy attorney to represent them at a hearing in front of the Maine PUC (Public Utility Commission). They won; here is the press release:
Skelton, Taintor & Abbott Wins Landmark Smart Meter Case
Of course, the "customer" out there in Maine has to pay a price for opting out to protect their health: "Choosing a digital smart meter with the wireless transmitter turned off will carry an initial charge of $20, plus a monthly charge of $10.50. Keeping an existing mechanical meter will cost $40 upfront, plus $12 a month. The cost of relocating an existing meter is highly variable, but typically expensive." Shame on those commissioners for sticking to the people of their state instead of forcing the utility company to replace the meter with an old analog meter at no cost to the consumer.
PART TWO: Can you opt out of having a 'smart meter' in your state? What if I already have one installed? Should I file a lawsuit? Is there a state or federal law requiring a 'smart meter' be installed on your home or business? Update on my case. For part two click below.
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