At long last, the smart meters are gone from our home. Today they were removed by SDG&E, as part of the hard won opt-out order by the CPUC. It took a half hour, the utility worker removed the smart electric meter (just gloves no protection otherwise) and the gas meter was entirely replaced as there are no analog modules to put on the old gas meter. They hung a tag from the analog locking ring that says "opt-out" (see pic above). I told the two nice gentlemen from SDG&E who did not seem to know anything about the radiation problems, about the fact that they were both at risk and needed to inform their unions that they might need protective equipment to shield their bodies, eyes, heads, as they were working so close to the smart meters. Bless their hearts, the SDG&E workers were very pleasant and supportive, and now I have two analogs. What a relief. Was able to be right in front of the electric meter without feeling the terrible headache, nausea and dizziness that was felt even at 10 feet from the smart meter. Such a shame that the company couldn't have had a policy of supporting customers with health complaints before being forced to provide the opt-out by the CPUC, which was made possible through intense public pressure, essentially. We're up to 57 municipalities in California, including 11 counties, that have rejected smart meters, a number of them criminalizing the installation of the dangerous devices. Ears still ringing, I am told that the irritated nerves should eventually settle down. Today was particularly bad, as there were four hours during which the smart meter shields that I had on both gas and electric had to be off, while waiting for the opt-out. Without those, the house would not have been livable. "Good riddance to bad rubbish", is what I have to say about the "smart" (not) meters. That is the nicest comment I can think of for polite company.
I've heard from one other couple who received their new analog electric meter and were very pleased to get it. The SDG&E worker told them that he'd already put in 200 that week, and it was half way through. Also, I heard from several others who are waiting for their opt-out date, any day now, and a number of troubling reports from people who called the SDG&E smart meter opt-out phone number 1-877-357-8525 to find it always busy. I had the same experience last week, waiting a half hour. If that happens, I recommend calling Customer Service - the regular number Residential: 1-800-411-7343. The website address to go to, to opt-out or learn more about it is http://sdge.com/residential/smart-meter-opt-out/smart-meter-opt-out-program. On their smart meter page it has a chart with the supposed benefits of smart meters. I made up my own, comparing analogs to smart meters.
Traditional Analog Meters Compared to Smart Meters
Figure out the benefits - then opt-out of smart meters !
According to some experts / reports by consumers:
Analog (Electromechanical) Meters
Smart Meters (Electronic)
RF Radiation Exposure
No
YES
Part of mesh network that blankets community with RF radiation
No
YES
Health complaints
No
YES
AAEM physicians' association warnings about health effects
No
YES
Santa Cruz Health Dept. warnings about RF radiation emissions
No
YES
Privacy Intrusion
No
YES
Hackable
No
YES
Utility collects personal energy use data
No
YES
Data on your personal energy use may be provided to 3rd parties
No
YES
Can cause "dirty electricity" emissions on wiring
No
YES
Can be used to power down or shut off your appliances
No
YES
Can be used to remotely shutoff your utility service
No
YES
Can be used to charge for Time-of-Use rating
No
YES
Higher bills complaints
No
YES
Appliance Burnout Complaints
No
YES
Associated with numerous house fires
No
YES
Interference w/ wireless devices
No
YES
Safety complaints
No
YES
Can contribute to electrical grid failure
No
YES
Meter has short life
No - last 30-50 years
YES - last 12-15 years
Federal energy act standard Yes No
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For the American Academy of Environmental Medicine's latest smart meter warnings, other comments about smart meters by physicians, scientists and researchers, and a flier to share with everyone you know, check out Media above. Please leave a comment below if you have had any opt-out experiences you care to share. I encourage everyone to opt-out who can. We are working on the fees issue. Today, I received notice that Vermont's legislators passed a law that eliminates all smart meter opt-out fees for its citizens. To date, no bill has been written to eliminate fees in Calfornia. In fact, our state legislature has been downright unresponsive.
Next steps - Phase 2 of the CPUC opt-out proceeding will address fees (these are interim) and community opt-outs, amongst other issues. A prehearing conference meeting has been set for May 16th at the CPUC in San Francisco, to discuss and determine the scope of Phase 2, which will occur in June. Numerous parties to the now-consolidated opt-out proceedings for the three major utilities will be represented or will attend that meeting, including Center for Electrosmog Prevention. We won't quit till these experimental, radiation-emitting, hazardous devices are banned and no one is subjected to their risks and harms. Right now, the judge won't allow commercial opt-outs to be discussed or considered. WRONG. Commercial property owners and workers have the right to be safe too.
Anyone who wishes to become a Party to the CPUC consolidated opt-out proceedings (Application 11-03-015, et al) may do so by requesting the form from Judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa - her email is ayk@cpuc.ca.gov. The form must be received by 5/16/12 to become a party, it is my understanding, unless one requests this afterward, which might cause a delay. I will find the form and add it to media in a day or so.
As for me, I will now be occupying my entire home and property, without the misery of RF radiation illness afflicting me daily and limiting my freedoms, at least not here. This chapter of my life has been an outrage that I, for one, will never again allow to be repeated. And we, collectively, who understand this issue, are not done - this technological mistake called a smart meter must be gone, not harming any of us. No fees, no wireless meters, no emissions.
