Pacific Grove City Watch

CRITICAL ACTION
- "You MUST PROTECT YOURSELF"
- "Box Your Analog Meters - Frame, Chain, Wooden"
- "Utility Commission Committee emails"
- "Protest Sign Ideas"


RED ALERT - ACT NOW
4/19/11 - print and send letter or email to the Ca State Utility Commission Committee - find the letter
in "Utility Commission Committee emails" folder.



ACTION ALERT
- Everyone must get involved - or we will all be surrounded.

--give information to your neighbors, including Wellington’s phone number: 1- 866 - 671 - 1001

--with your neighbors, watch your neighborhood

--take flyers with you and let people know

- check back here for updates, and share this page.

Protest (pick 1, 2 or more to do as you have time):

--stand with a protest sign with a buddy on a busy street corner for an hour or two, have flyers to hand out if people want more information

--contact

--------the PUC -- regarding the opt-out proposal and Smart Meter program

--------Governor Brown

--------Bill Monning, Sam Blakeslee, Luis Alejo, state senators and Assemblymembers

--write letters to the editor

--------Monterey Herald

--------Salinas Californian

--------Monterey County Weekly

--------other newspapers

--file a complaint with the county district attorney




Monterey County Update Bulletins


Please take flyers with you wherever you go, and give to businesses and people you meet. Write Wellington phone number on your flyers (1-866-671-1001) so that people can call that number when they get their letters from PG&E. We need everyone’s help to get this stopped. Flyering, or holding signs protesting Smart Meters with a friend for an hour or two at busy intersections gets the word out.


OTHER RESOURCES


- EMF Safety Network now has a page devoted to the California Council on Science and Technology study and the critiques – great scientific information. It is under the Smart Meter Hazards tab at the top. www.emfsafetynetwork.org


Monterey and Pacific Grove libraries have books with Smart Meter documentation that I’ve put there, for those who don’t have computers. Seaside, Carmel and Salinas will be getting copies as soon as I can get there – this week. The libraries may be reluctant to keep these books. Call the libraries or go by and ask to see these books. Most of the libraries will have a three-volume set.

The District Attorney complaint form is in Vol. 1 to copy.









You Must Protect Yourself

1 - Box and chain up your electric and gas meters - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN - see intructions and photos TOP RIGHT.
2 - get your keys back from PG&E, change your security code on your gate - If you have a gate lock or code to get to your meter and you’re changing it to keep Wellington and PG&E out, call Kathy at to let them know 831-241-1893

3 - Once you receive a letter from PG&E stating that they "will be installing SmartMeters in your neighborhood soon", call Wellington (the installation company) at 1-866-671-1001 - M-F, 8am-8pm, and ask them if they have a "work order" for your house. Give them your physical address and they can check. If they do have a work order for your location, tell them you don't want a SmartMeter. They won't argue with you. They will send your "work order" back to PG&E, and they will not schedule your house for installation.

4 - If they don't have a work order for your house, then you'll need to check back with them again. If at any point you receive a letter from PG&E, saying that they are about to install in your neighborhood, that is the point at which to make certain to call Wellington and strongly decline a SmartMeter. (They don't want trouble, and they feel this is PG&E's problem, not theirs, so they'll send the "work order" back to them.)

5 - Then, call PG&E 3 or 4 business days after speaking to Wellington, to make certain that they received back the work order from Wellington. Call this number: 1-866-743-0263.

These steps should hopefully buy us enough time for the "Opt -Out program" from PG&E to come into being.

6 - If you want to, you can also call PG&E at 1-866-743-0263, and insist on being put on their "delay" list. (This doesn't guarantee anything, however, and shouldn't be considered your "protection". But, it's probably a good idea to do this, too.)

Even if you aren't worried about SmartMeters, those of your neighbors who are electrically sensitive or have compromised health would be very grateful if you could PLEASE take these steps to help keep our neighborhoods protected from unnecessary and toxic radiation from these meters.

It will also help us prevent rising PG&E rates during peak usage hours, and also prevent the loss of privacy that these meters inherently are.

Nothing will stop them from getting to your meter except you.

Protests - Signs

Ban Smart Meters

Stop Smart Meters

Smart Meters harm our communities

Microwave rf harms DNA

PG&E puts profits before people

Safety first

Halt Smart Meter program

Smart Meters make people sick

Smart Meters = problems

Gov. Brown, halt this program!

Smart Meter Opt out is a Joke

I will not pay for your mistake.

Utility Commission Committee

NOTE: below email addresses are all in one building. To email ALL, simply copy and paste the whole list.


California State Assembly

Committee on Utilities and Commerce

Committee Phone (916) 319-2083

Assemblymember.Bradford@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Fletcher@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Buchanan@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Fong@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Fuentes@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Gorell@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Hernandez@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Huffman@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Knight@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Nestande@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Skinner@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Swanson@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Valadao@assembly.ca.gov


4/19/11 - Letter to the Utility Commission Committee

California State Assembly

Committee on Utilities and Commerce Committee

You are considering Smart Meters and their future.

Below is an article about the uproar in Maine and proposed legislation there, and an outstanding comment regarding Smart Meters and why they and the much-touted Smart Grid don’t work in reality.

A mistake is a mistake. The ramifications of this program were never sufficiently investigated, and we are dealing with the fall-out from that now.

Introduce this legislation for the residents of California:

Whereas, substantial and serious problems and issues have arisen with the deployment of the Smart Grid/Smart Meter program in the state of California and in other states,

Including billing increases, health problems, environmental impacts, privacy issues, interference, and job loss, brought to our attention by the public,

Whereas, the California Public Utilities Commission has not undertaken thorough, substantive investigations into these issues, dismissing applications filed with them, disregarding the advice of the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, and disregarding the growing opposition and concerns of the public and their elected officials; and

Whereas the actual benefit to the public, and the energy savings from, the Smart Meter/AMI program is questionable, leading the Attorney General of Connecticut to file a brief opposing their proposed AMI program; and

Whereas the continued use and deployment of Smart Meters in California poses a clear and present threat to the well-being of the residents of the state of California, risks including privacy, security, health, accuracy, and consumer fraud; and

Whereas immediate action is needed to address these issues, because inaction will allow these problems to continue and, in all probability, compound, to the serious detriment of our constituents throughout the state,

Whereas the California Constitution, Article 1, Section 1, is very clear about the substantial “inalienable” rights of the residents of this state, including the right to enjoy and defend our life and liberty, protect our property, and pursue and obtain “safety, happiness, and privacy;” and

Whereas the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act states: "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them...The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." The people of California, not the public agencies they have appointed, have the ultimate authority to decide on their own behalf; and

Whereas, common sense concurs,

We, the legislators of the State of California, do take the following immediate actions:

  • An immediate halt to the Smart Meter/Smart Grid program statewide, including a halt to the installation or activation of Smart Meters and infrastructure and including water meters
  • Immediate deactivation of existing Smart Meters and infrastructure statewide
  • A prohibition on the disposal of analog meters, and a requirement that they be securely stored in California, in the areas from which they were removed.
  • Immediate public hearings and investigation into Smart Meter problems, including rf health, safety, and environmental issues
  • An investigation into the California Public Utilities Commission and its ties to industry, and recommendations made for reform, including replacement of staff and commissioners, including those with conflicts of interest, and an examination of all records related to consumer complaints and health problems related to Smart Meters, including phone conversations, correspondence, and contacts with customers including site visits.
  • An investigation into California utility companies, consultants, and contractors, including subpoena of all records related to consumer complaints and health problems related to Smart Meters, including phone conversations, correspondence, and contacts with customers including site visits.

Sincerely,

Your constituent,


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Problems With Smart Meters - Wildlife & Humans

"The Problems With Smart Meters", Wildlife and Humans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yoyETbp1Q8&feature=player_embedded

There are other issues that concern our wildlife, and the effects of being surrounded with a canopy of EMF that will surround bugs, butterflies, pets from the installation of Smart Meters and the broadcast receiving towers. This is an excellent book "Birds, Bees and Humans" by Mark Ulrich, and is available here. It is a German translation in 2010 and the research in it is amazing. All navigational creatures, bees, bats, and butterflies like our Monarch Butterflies in the Pacific Grove, CA Monarch Grove Sanctuary, is magnetite.

Their magnetite allows these creatures to navigate in reaction to the fluctuating electromagnetic fields of the earth, like coming storms. Magnetite is like having another ear so that they can react appropriately. When we create artificial EMF's it is louder than the natural EMF's of the planet. One of the reasons cell phone technology works is that they are louder, and will overpower the earth's natural frequencies, they override it, and they are above it. When we do that, we make these guys (navigational wildlife), work a whole lot harder to know where they are going. There are things like sudden hive collapse where the bee's just didn't come back. One of the things EMF's can do in creatures and humans is upset the nitrous oxide system, and in bees this system is part of their learning, smell and immune system.

 There are many parallels to the human system as well. When sudden hive collapse as well as immune disease problems bees began, the scientists that wrote the book stated that they had never seen such a great increase in the bugs that the bees had to contend with...what's going on here. Well, if your immune system is affected either by cell towers nearby, or living in an area where there is a lot of wireless radiation going on could account for this. The last chapter of the book is on human impacts. It lists a progression of health impacts. Again, we are not seeing people dying on the streets and it's very difficult to say "we are all walking around more or less functional. A lot of illnesses are long term and have latency periods. A lot of cancers have 10 years or more latency periods. So, we don't get the immediate feedback that would really help us to identify if something is dangerous nor not. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you know instantly, but with microwave radiation, RF and EMF's people are not getting that instant feedback. PG&E says, well, more research is needed, just keep buying all these appliances, keep hanging around your hair dryer mind you. PG&E did say in their brochure you might want to limit your exposure to hair dryers because hair dryers have huge EMF fields. The further you are away from the source, the more the EMF's drop off over a distance. See more of this article including Radio Interference and Accumulative Effects, as well as all the links. more here http://mocotp.com/posts/smart-meter-health-affects-what-pge-is-not-telling-the-public-for-industry-profit

Cell Phone Radiation - Higher Risk to Children

Cell Phone Radiation,
Cell Tower Masts, Wireless Radiation.
Recent scientific tests show that just two hours of exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), such as the ones you're exposed to every time you turn on your cell phone, microwave oven, bluetooth headset, certain household appliances can lead to permanent DNA damage in brain and sex cells...Consistent exposure from daily microwave radiation use can have serious health consequences!
Are Your Children at Risk, Too?
In 1997, alarming results were revealed by Dr. Om Ghandi from the University of Utah showing how radiation penetrates younger skulls far more deeply than those of adults. Below are the results of a computer-image comparison of the heads of adults and children.
Cell phone radiation chip phone radiation chart cell phone radiation level list used qlink ally discount q-link.
 
emf health protection electromagnetic fields cordless phone radiation danger headset.
 
Cordless phone radiation cell phone anti radiation ladybug cell phone radiation studies emf radiation cell phone.
         
Radiation Penetration
in head of adult
 
Radiation Penetration in
head of 10 year old child
 
Radiation Penetration in
head of 5 year old child

Children ARE at a GREATER RISK Because
Their Skulls Have Not Completely Thickened

According to a study from the Neurological Hospital of the University of Freiburg in Germany, cellular telephones' high-frequency electromagnetic fields lead to a significant increase in blood pressure. Pulsed high-frequency fields, as used with cellular telephones, affect biological processes in the brain, which are measurable in electroencephalograms (EEG). It is beyond question that cellular telephones negatively influence the brain's bioelectric activity. 

PICTURES BELOW OF RADIATION FROM A CELL PHONE FLOWING THROUGHOUT YOUR CAR TURNING IT INTO A RADIATION CAGE?

radiation cage car from cellphone radiationradiation car

Adverse Influence of Radio Frequency Background on Trembling Aspen Seedlings: Preliminary Observations

International Journal of Forestry Research
Volume 2010 (2010), Article ID 836278, 7 pages
doi:10.1155/2010/836278   
Research Article

  
Adverse Influence of Radio Frequency Background on Trembling Aspen Seedlings: Preliminary Observations
Abstract

Numerous incidents of aspen decline have been recorded in North America over the past half century, and incidents of very rapid mortality of aspen clones have been observed in Colorado since 2004. The radio frequency (RF) environment of the earth has undergone major changes in the past two centuries due to the development and use of electricity in power and communications applications, and the anthropogenic RF background continues to increase in intensity and complexity. This study suggests that the RF background may have strong adverse effects on growth rate and fall anthocyanin production in aspen, and may be an underlying factor in aspen decline.

Read the full Study

Conclusions

Conclusions

The results of this preliminary experiment indicate that the RF background may be adversely affecting leaf and shoot growth and inhibiting fall production of anthocyanins associated with leaf senescence in trembling aspen seedlings. These effects suggest that exposure to the RF background may be an underlying factor in the recent rapid decline of aspen populations. Further studies are underway to test this hypothesis in a more rigorous way.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

PG&E seeks Bailout from Customers with CPUC Request

Here's the deal, all must have a wireless smart meter.  The radio-off plan applies to residential customers only.

PG&E proposes a radio-off monthly fee that will likely cost anywhere from $2880.00-$4320.00 over the 15 year life of the smart meter, or 20$ more on your bill every month. These figures could change, (go up), of course, depending on the concentration of on/off customers in a square mile radius.

One can actually move their existing meters further away from where they are physically located now at a cost ranging between $2K-11K depending on the distance and overhead vs buried wires.
Not addressed in the proposal is the likelihood one can completely escape the EMF's coming from their radio-on neighbors.  Will they pay more for their own health or the health of their neighbors by moving their , (radio-on), gas/electric meters?  Nope.  Will they pay extra to opt-out, (radio-off),  for their neighbors?  Double nope.

Contact your legislators and tell them this radio-off opt-out plan won't work, is too expensive, and is not acceptable.  The Utilities Commion Committee will be meeting on April 4th, so get your letter off as soon as possible.

Contact CPUC.  We have 30 days from 3/24/11 for public input.  Let them know what you think of PG&E radio-off opt-out plan.


read radio-on option here

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Stop Smart Meter Bulletin Vol. 6, March 22, 2011

Stop Smart Meters! Bulletin

Vol. 6 March 22nd, 2011
PO Box 66165 Scotts Valley CA 95067

Quote of the Month


“I think it’s high time we stood up with one, large voice and said “no” in no uncertain terms and if that means marching on Sacramento in numbers that simply can’t be ignored and making news to get the attention of those we put in office, then so be it.  I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

            -Howard Glasser, Lake County (read his opinion piece here)

ALERT--THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER!! *****CPUC MEETING IN SF THURSDAY*****    CALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! INVITE YOUR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND COUNTY SUPERVISORS!
Individuals and organizations opposing the rollout of ‘Smart’ Meters in San Francisco and elsewhere in California will be gathering at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) meeting at 505 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister, near City Hall) in San Francisco this Thursday, March 24th at 9am to testify at their morning meeting. Now is the perfect time to encourage your local elected officials to attend the CPUC meeting to demand that the Commission immediately halt further installations in the state and hold public hearings on health impacts of smart meters- OPT OUT IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH!  The Governor must also remove Michael Peevey from the Commission immediately.  Peevey is a former utility executive with Southern California Edison -- the classic fox watching the hen house, a man who has made the CPUC into a laughing stock and a lapdog to the industry.

If you intend to speak at the CPUC meeting, you will have 1 minute, and you must arrive by 8:45 a.m. to sign up.  The CPUC meeting itself begins at 9:00 a.m.  You can also sign up by Noon on Wednesday here: https://ia.cpuc.ca.gov/requesttocomment/

SPECIAL ‘ADOPT A WELLINGTON INSTALLER’ EVENT TO FOLLOW CPUC MTG.
We know the employees of Wellington Energy are under more stress than ever these days, what with residents unleashing their pit bulls, demanding they remove ‘smart’ meters, and protesters standing in their way.  What the Wellington employees need is a big hug (and maybe a copy of the Sage Associates report).   We will be fanning out into the city following the CPUC meeting this Thursday, finding Wellington Energy employees who we can adopt and follow all day long, knocking on doors ahead of the installers and ensuring residents are aware of their rights.   If you are interested in joining this special ‘adoption’ event please e-mail info@stopsmartmeters.org

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE MEETING IN SF (OR EVEN IF YOU CAN!)

1.     Contact the Governor and demand an immediate emergency moratorium on ‘smart’ meter installation- and scheduled statewide hearings on public health issues.  (deleted text from original) Contact details here: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php

2.     Call CPUC Commissioners and demand an immediate moratorium and smart meter health hearings.  CPUC Commissioner Florio  415-703-1840  CPUC Commissioner Sandoval  415-703-2593

3.     The CPUC is continuing to deny access to public meetings by electrosensitive individuals who are unable to stand the 12+ wifi transmitters in the meeting room.  This is despite continued requests for reasonable accommodations under the ADA for the disabled who are most impacted by this program. CPUC has had weeks now to figure out how to provide a phone in option, so people who can't safely access the meeting chambers have remote access, and can participate in real time.  E-mail karen.miller@cpuc.ca.gov to demand equal access for EVERY member of the public.

4.     Lodge a formal complaint with the CPUC- if you have suffered health or any other impacts because of the rollout (even if you don’t have a smart meter on your own home).  Call the Public Advisor’s safety line at 1-800-755-1447.

5.     If your local city/ county has not acted against the smart meter attack, organize local residents and demand that they do their job to protect public health and safety.

6.     Forward this e-mail newsletter to 5 friends, and have them subscribe if they are interested.


WHAT ARE SMART METERS!?

The installation of wireless gas and electric meters is one of the largest technology rollouts in history.  Yet in California and other states, there was virtually no consultation with the public and local governments in advance of the $2.2 billion “Advanced Metering Infrastructure” (or AMI) project -- the first mandatory microwave radiation device to be installed on our homes and businesses.   Wireless radiation has been linked with cancer[1] and DNA damage[2] at exposure levels far below FCC guidelines, in peer-reviewed scientific studies.  “Smart” meters pose health risks, violate individual privacy, interfere with electronic appliances, increase carbon emissions and overcharge customers.  But utility companies and tech firms love them because they allow them to layoff meter readers and generate more profit.  Luckily, more communities every day are learning the facts and refusing the DumbMeter onslaught.  Check out our new primer (that you can circulate) outlining the case against wireless utility meters here: http://stopsmartmeters.wordpress.com/why-stop-smart-meters/

WHAT IS “STOP SMART METERS!”?
Growing out of the grassroots group Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters, which was started in June, Stop Smart Meters! is now a community supported statewide advocacy, media outreach, and direct action group providing activism consultation and technical assistance advice to dozens of local groups statewide (and now nationally and even internationally) who are fighting the wireless ‘smart’ meter assault.

The fight against ‘smart’ meters has brought about new, unexpected political alliances.   Please join us and add your voice to thousands of others.  More info, regular news updates, analysis, and tips on resisting ‘smart’ meters at our website: http://stopsmartmeters.org

To join Stop Smart Meters! and add yourself or others to the distribution list for this newsletter, please send a request to: info@stopsmartmeters.org

THANK YOU FOR DONATING TO STOP SMART METERS!

Even if it’s only a small amount, it all adds up and it really goes a long way toward making this education and advocacy possible.  Remember we are community supported- please chip in if you can!  Please make checks payable to Joshua Hart, write Stop Smart Meters! on the memo line and send to Stop Smart Meters! Post Office Box 66165 Scotts Valley CA 95067.  Contact us directly if you require a tax deduction.  Thank you for your support!

CHECK OUT OUR ALLIES
We urge you to get to know, and contribute to our friends at the following organizations, who are all working on different angles of the ‘smart’ meter issue:

Health and Safety:             EMF Safety Network http://emfsafetynetwork.org
Health and Envt:            Environmental Options Network (EON) http://eon3.net
Environmental Health Trust: http://www.environmentalhealthtrust.org/
Californians for Renewable Energy http://www.calfree.com/
Privacy issues:             Electronic Frontier Foundation http://eff.org
Consumer Rights:             The Utility Reform Network (TURN) http://turn.org


SMART METER CAMPAIGN UPDATES

34 CA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UNITED IN DEMANDING A ‘SMART’ METER HALT

The number of local governments opposed to the ‘smart’ meter program continues to climb. A total of 26 cities and 8 counties throughout CA- representing 2,242,123 people- have now formally demanded a halt to PG&E’s mandatory ‘smart’ meter program. It is now illegal under local ordinance to install within the jurisdiction of 10 of these local governments.  Call the sheriff or police department if you see installations in any of these areas (or if PG&E tries to install on your home against your will).   The updated list of local governments protesting can be found here.  Want your city or county to be added to the list?  Why not get them to pass an ordinance?  Sample letter here.

MONTEREY COUNTY CONSIDERS ACTIONS AGAINST PG&E
Tuesday, March 22 (today!) 1:30 PM, Monterey County Board of Supervisors
From Nina Beety: The whole afternoon agenda on the 22nd will be devoted to Smart Meters.   The Health Department will present its report on Smart Meters with recommendations for action, there will be time for public comment, and the Board will vote on an action.  We need to pack the chambers. Carpool from the Peninsula and from every area in the County. This meeting is it, and we need to be there. The Board could make a decision covering the whole county, not just the incorporated areas, which, if it were an ordinance, would be fantastic.

SAN FRANCISCO GETTING “EXTRA STRENGTH” SMART METER RADIATION

Exposing the population to wireless radiation from these 625,000 wireless meters packed into a 7x7 square mile city- the densest city west of the Mississippi- on top of all the pre-existing radiation- is a human experiment of unprecedented proportions.

STOP SMART METERS! TAKES DIRECT ACTION TO STOP SF ROLLOUT

SSM! Has been out in the Marina and the Richmond District in SF confronting Wellington Energy and informing residents of their rights to refuse installation.  Marina District protest, outreach, and parade with bullhorn: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/07/stop-smart-meters-hits-sf/     Richmond District resident takes direct action to stop Wellington installer: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/11/cpuc-admits-to-smart-meter-health-crisis-opt-out-plan-falls-short/   SSM on the warpath, presents to community groups in SF: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/08/presenting-the-case-against-smart-meters-to-san-francisco/

SAGE ASSOCIATES WEBSITE HAS NEW RESOURCES

Sage Associates website contains new info including a collection of expert letters in response to the flawed CCST report, peer-reviewed science indicating health impacts from levels of RF lower than ‘smart’ meters, and the Seletun Scientific Statement warning of health impacts particularly to pregnant women and children:  http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/

“I WANT TO DIE” - WOMAN REALIZES HER ‘SMART’ METER IS TO BLAME FOR DEBILITATING MIGRAINES
Great new article by Jen Pleasants on Salon published Friday about her struggle with migraines, and eventual realization that her (not so) smart meter was to blame.   Her solution in the face of her utility’s refusal to remove here meter- install a faraday cage to block the radiation.  If utilities refuse to remove smart meters that are causing health problems, this is just one recourse that people have:

DEFEND YOUR ANALOG METER

If you are fortunate enough to have escaped the ‘smart’ meter onslaught so far, you may want to physically defend your property from microwave trespass.  Here are some pics of how one family is keeping Wellington Energy at bay:

SSM! ASKS DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AT THE CPUC PRESS CONFERENCE

Stop Smart Meters! Director Josh Hart was there on Feb. 24th for the CPUC meeting and press conference.   Strangely, the fire alarm went off as soon as we started asking difficult questions.  http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/01/difficult-questions-about-san-bruno-and-smart-meters-easy-pull/

MONTEREY COUNTY SMART METER ACTIVIST HERO NINA BEETY IS A STAR

Nina has been putting everything she has into the fight for our health and our privacy- spending $4000 on her credit card for a full page ad in the Monterey Herald, even though she is on disability.  See: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/03/03/nina-beety-its-time-to-take-action-against-smart-meters/

STOP SMART METERS! NOW ON TWITTER!

For the latest campaign updates and links to developing stories that don’t make it onto our website, follow us on Twitter!  We are “stopsmeters

OUTSMART PG&E STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE
Fairfax produced stickers opposing PG&E’s ‘smart’ meter program are now available- see http://www.t-shirtprofit.com/ and click on the ‘profit’ link.  There are also a number of stickers available from http://www.refusesmartmeter.com/

GET AN INSIDE VIEW INTO WHAT THE ‘SMART’ GRID INDUSTRY IS SAYING
A reader writes in: “I just subscribed to SmartGridToday:  the worldwide daily news journal of the modern electric utility industry http://www.smartgridtoday.com/
I took advantage of their 14 day free trial subscription and it is been a very informative experience so far.  Especially in the forum.  These are industry people and smart meters are a big topic.  I recommend the trial subscription.”

FAIRFAX WINS PUBLIC CEO’S AWARD FOR BEST ORDINANCE OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to the Town of Fairfax in Marin County who this week won Public CEO’s “Ordinance of the Year Award.”  Fairfax’s elected officials and public servants have been blazing a trail for the rest of the state and the country to follow.  Three cheers for Fairfax!

SIGN PETITION CALLING FOR NEW FCC STANDARDS ON WIRELESS EXPOSURE


MEDIA UPDATE AND LINKS


Wireless ‘Smart’ Meter Debacle


SF Chronicle Editorial: ‘Smart’ Meters Should be Customer Choice

Letters to SF Chronicle re: their editorial

New Electricity Meters Stir Fears

NIEHS Considers New Priorities- tell them to investigate ‘electrosmog’

The Problems with “Smart Grid” – Dumb and Dangerous

Stop Smart Meters! interviewed on KSCO- great radio show with call-ins!


Smart Meters- What’s Next?  Righteous Commentary From Lake County

Peevey: No Guarantee- Even for Weak Opt Out Plan

Study Shows Greater Security Concerns for Smart Meters

Assemblymember Bill Monning on ‘Smart’ Meters

Maine Public Advocate Blasts Utility over ‘Smart’ Meters

Utilities and CPUC Vulnerable Over Mishandling of Environmental Review

Smart Grid Industry Whines: “We’re Going to Have to Take Their Complaints Seriously”

Power Companies Scheming to Force ‘Smart’ Meters onto New Markets

Michael Peevey Gives View of “Green’ Energy:

PG&E Disregards Precautionary Principle with ‘Smart’ Meters

Building the Smart Grid- Disturbing Hints of Privacy Invasions and Tech Gone Crazy

Opposition from the Right: Rush Limbaugh Rants Against Smart Meters

British Columbia Utility Admits: We Have Not Conducted Any Tests on the Safety of this Technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-4s2C1l6Xc

CPUC Floats Opt Out Plan- Sebastopol Mayor Calls for Meter Removal

CPUC Ponders Opt Out- Opponents not Impressed

La Mesa Today: Are your ‘smart’ meters a risk to public health?

Lake County Passes Ordinance- Prepares Legal Action Against PG&E

Smart Meter Installation Turning into “Nightmare Scenario”

From USA Today: Could smart electric meters be a dumb idea?

San Luis Obispo County Demands Halt:

AARP Questions Wisdom of “Smart” Grid

Maine: Foes of ‘Smart’ Meters Resist and Insist: Health Effects are Real

Seaside Bans Smart Meters

Protesters call for blockage of PG&E’s new SmartMeters in San Francisco

Sausalito Wants SmartMeter Alternative


Marin Women Vow More Civil Disobedience Over Smart Meters

Germany: Smart Grid Expectations Not Being Met

“Whiff of Revolt” in Australia over “Smart’ Meters

Maine: Prominent M.D. Links Patient’s Hospitalization to Smart Meter Installation, Urges Opt-Outs

San Anselmo Mayor Demands Smart Meter Ban Enforcement

Alternet: Are Smart Meters Really a Threat to Health?

San Clemente Deadlocks on Smart Meter Opposition

Comments on CCST Report:

NBC San Diego: Are ‘Smart’ Meters a Smart Idea?

‘Smart’ Water Meters Failing in Saipan


GENERAL WIRELESS AND HEALTH NEWS


Israel Puts Brakes on 4G Wireless Technology for Health Reasons

Oregon Introduces Cell Phone Warning Label Legislation

Will Microwaves Kill More than Cigarettes and Asbestos Combined?

Japan’s Wireless Fails in Earthquake- Land Lines Provide Emergency Communication

FCC Expects ‘Spectrum Deficit’ by 2014

Effects on Blood of Cell Phone Use

Connecting the Dots: Putting the Volkow Brain Scans in Perspective

SF Residents Upset About Next G Wireless Antenna in Richmond District

Alaska Supreme Court Upholds Award for RF Radiation Injury Below Legal Limit

How to Lower Your EMF Exposure

Green America: Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

GENERAL UTILITY DYSFUNCTION


PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Plant a Disaster Waiting to Happen

Earthquakes and Nuclear Power Reactors: Unforgiving and Deadly

PG&E Created Own Pipe Safety Rule, Document Shows

PG&E Making Man Made Storm Clouds Over Northern California

Business Week: The Flaw in Obama’s Wireless Plan

PG&E Still Sails Smooth, and That’s the Rub


DEMOCRACY


Annie Leonard: Why Democracy Only Works When People are in Charge

More False Climate Solutions in Trouble: Carbon Offsets Under Legal Challenge

How Small, Mostly Conservative Towns Have Found the Trick to Defeating Corporations


If you’d like to be removed from this list, please e-mail us at info@stopsmartmeters.org and we will do so immediately.  ~Thank you for your support!~  - Stop Smart Meters!


Endnotes:

[1] Hardell L, Carlberg M, Söderqvist F, Hansson Mild K and Morgan LL: Long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumours- increased risk associated with use for ≥10 years. Occup Env Med 64: 626-632, 2007. DOI 10.1136/oem.2006.029751.

[2] Lai, H. and Sigh, N.P. DNA single- and double- strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 69:513–521, 1996.







--
Joshua Hart
Director, Stop Smart Meters!
http://stopsmartmeters.org

Smart Meters - Monterey County BOS - No Concern For Your Health

03/22/11 - Today, the ravenous consumption of analog meters by PG&E received unanimous approval by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors who adopted the United Nations World Health Organizations position that wireless smart meters are as safe as cell phones.

Crafty proponents of wireless smart meters speak out of both sides of their mouths. They find various reasons to dismiss peer-reviewed studies of the opponents, while at the same time maintain more studies are needed.  So the MoCo BOS decide to request more studies...that, of course, will happen when we all start turning shades of purple.

MoCo BOS also provide the excuse that they don't want to open the county up to possible lawsuits with PG&E if they were to take a strong health advocacy position.  Just minutes before the presentation of the Health Commission Report, they approved spending an additional $100K of your tax dollars on lawsuits when it comes to the desalination plant.

Omni-missing Supervisor Potter was the only supe not to meet with health advocates sounding the alarm of an environment surrounded by EMF prior to the county municipality's action.  He walked out of the public chamber just prior to the Health Commissions presentation immediately after voting on an additional $100K to fund desal lawsuits.  This is one reason he should be recalled.  Public Health issues require participation, not missing in action.

The remaining supes likely tow the union, United Nations position.  Whatever they want, they get. They should all be recalled as they have negated their concern for public health.

Since there are no protections for the citizens coming from our local governments and agencies, we will now protect our property with cages, and file civil lawsuits against PG&E for property rights violations. We need to understand this outcome was by design, as most Americans remain passive to authority.

PG&E is banking on the fact that few citizens have the stomach for such actions, and will eventually roll over and allow their analog meter to be replaced. When our government allows something of this magnitude to happen, there is a problem with government.  You need to call the newly appointed members of the CPUC right now, and tell them forced deployment of wireless smart meters will not be tolerated and to take quick action to assist citizens under siege by PG&E.

CPUC Commissioner Florio     415-703-1840

CPUC Commissioner Sandoval           415-703-2593

In the meantime, we will be surrounded by EMF's at unprecedented levels, where no environmental study exists or is pending.  We will not know, at any given time, if our exposure levels rise above the FCC limits if we don't have a device on our person that warns us.  The life of a lab rat has just begun.

We plan to continue working within our own communities to educate our neighbors about the hazards of wireless smart meters and what it will cost them to protect themselves in their own homes.

Pacific Grove City Watch is sponsoring a Community Warning - "Surrounded by Microwaves".  March 30th, 7:00pm, Community Center, 515 Junipero.  More info here.
One person from every neighborhood should attend.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Monterey Co. Health Commission - "Few Studies Mapping Exposure"

Smart Meters - Monterey BOS Review of Health Issues Related to Smart Meters

Attend the Monterey County BOS - 3/22/11 - extended public comment period all afternoon - starts at 1:30pm - could be a long afternoon -  see Calendar of Events on Right
Read The entire Health Report

*****

What's wrong with this report? It makes no sense, especially their recommendations. The Health Commission is supposed to be concerned about our health, right. Think again. They missed the boat completely.

This report pulls out an apple; tells us the apple has been studied; people are warned about the apple, then states they are fairly confident the orange studies are so similar to the apples; they reassure us that the apple is safe so therefore the orange must also be safe, but they need more studies to make sure. Meanwhile, our Health Commission recommends doing studies that won't happen before we are all surrounded by a NEW, non escapable web of EMF's. You call this public health protection?

1. Comparing cell phones (apples) to smart meters (oranges)

Not every household has three cell phones transmitting 24/7/365. They are voluntary, and there are warnings on their use. All homes and buildings will now have three wireless utility meters transmitting at various times on top of the wireless devices already in use by the population. This new concentrated web of EMF is new, no enviromental impact study has been done on this phenomenon and even this report states:

"Once the smart grid is fully active, it is expected that smart meters will transmit more frequently than once every four hours resulting in a higher duty cycle. Exposure levels are expressed as .tW/cm2. There are few reports providing detailed modeling of the potential exposure patterns that may be associated with individual or arrays of smart meters."

What!!! No exposure pattern map?

What will be your exposure as you stand outside of Church with your child in a baby buggy and two children while you visit with friends for 10 or 15 minutes? What is the exact exposure of that specific spot?

What will be your exposure if you are throwing a BBQ party in your own back yard?

You can't see the EMF's web hot spot. How do you know what your exposure is, does it exceed FCC standard? Does anyone know?

Who will test every square inch of our cities to find out where not to stand for certain periods of time. The answer is no one knows, the exposure map is missing.



So this New potential health hazard is not even being considered, given little weight, yet the Health Commission simply recommends more studies! How about a specific study, like exposure mapping of every inch of real estate in our county.

"It is the recommendation of the Monterey County Health Department that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to send a letter to the PUC requesting the PUC continue to study through independent experts the effects of long-term exposure to low level EMFs and report out findings to all county health departments."

Are you people insane. How about a full blown ban with the wireless smeters removed until which time the entire county can be mapped, along with warnings on the patches of real estate where people, plants and animals (including insects) will get a blast of EMF's that will surpass the FCC safety limits on the non-thermal, low frequency microwaves. Neither me nor my family want to be your lab rats. I am not convinced you believe we should not be.