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
EON EMF Blog: http://eon3emfblog.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
http://www.smartmeters.com/the-news/2047-study-shows-greater-security-concerns-for-smart-meters.html
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
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/03/rush_limbaugh_gets_pwned_by_ce.php#comment-164771704
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
PG&E Continues Installing SmartMeters, Despite the Law: http://www.publicceo.com/index.php/local-governments/151-local-governments-publicceo-exclusive/2562-pgae-continues-installing-smartmeters-despite-the-laws-and-protests-of-municipalities
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
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178431416877032.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
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
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