Smart Meters - Are They Safe?
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Smart Meters - What's All The Fuss About?
I first heard about smart meters a few years ago. The news segment stated that we would all be getting these great new 'Smart Meters' soon. It went on to say how much money we would all save, how they would help improve the environment, cut our energy costs etc. It all sounded great at the time. Then a bit later I began to hear some of the details about exactly HOW these smart meters would be accomplishing these goals, and what having smart meters installed in every home in our country (including mine & yours) really means.
A few months back there was even an article in my small town newspaper announcing that we too will soon be getting the new smart meters installed in every home. The article went on to say how these new smart meters will be a good thing, because they will be much more efficient and will help us all to save money on our utility bills. It ended by saying that there will be future articles in the paper explaining to the public how the smart meters work, and instruct homeowners how to use them.
The article itself seemed innocent enough, until you realize that they left out a few very important facts the biggest of which is that these same smart meters will also have the ability to turn off your power at any point whenever you use more power than will then be considered an appropriate amount - at any time of the day or night! So, exactly who IS getting to decide when we get to use our power & how much power we get to use?
The answer to this question, as well as how DARE anyone try to tell me when I can take a shower, wash clothes, or how cool I can keep my home this summer living here in the south is really starting to bother me - A LOT! So I've decided to make this simple little lens to share my findings, interesting articles, smart meter news, law suit info, smart meter facts, forums & outrageous ya don't say kind of stuff with anyone else who may also be searching for answers about the new smart meters coming to your town too.
Listed below you will find links to websites, articles, & videos that I have found eye opening & informative starting with WikipediA's definition of a smart meter.
A few months back there was even an article in my small town newspaper announcing that we too will soon be getting the new smart meters installed in every home. The article went on to say how these new smart meters will be a good thing, because they will be much more efficient and will help us all to save money on our utility bills. It ended by saying that there will be future articles in the paper explaining to the public how the smart meters work, and instruct homeowners how to use them.
The article itself seemed innocent enough, until you realize that they left out a few very important facts the biggest of which is that these same smart meters will also have the ability to turn off your power at any point whenever you use more power than will then be considered an appropriate amount - at any time of the day or night! So, exactly who IS getting to decide when we get to use our power & how much power we get to use?
The answer to this question, as well as how DARE anyone try to tell me when I can take a shower, wash clothes, or how cool I can keep my home this summer living here in the south is really starting to bother me - A LOT! So I've decided to make this simple little lens to share my findings, interesting articles, smart meter news, law suit info, smart meter facts, forums & outrageous ya don't say kind of stuff with anyone else who may also be searching for answers about the new smart meters coming to your town too.
Listed below you will find links to websites, articles, & videos that I have found eye opening & informative starting with WikipediA's definition of a smart meter.
Smart Meter Video - The Truth Simply Stated
Learn How To Refuse Your Smart Meter
What Is A Smart Meter?
WikipediA's Definition Of A Smart Meter
According to WikipediA: "A smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes.[7] Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the central system. Unlike home energy monitors, smart meters can gather data for remote reporting."
There are many more interesting facts about smart meters on WikipeadiA's link including quote: Electricity pricing usually peaks at certain predictable times of the day and the season. In particular, if generation is constrained, prices can rise from other jurisdictions or more costly generation is brought online. It is believed that billing customers by time of day will encourage consumers to adjust their consumption habits to be more responsive to market prices. Regulatory and market design agencies hope these "price signals" will delay the construction of additional generation or at least the purchase of energy from higher priced sources, thereby controlling the steady and rapid increase of electricity prices.[citation needed] There are some concerns however that low income and vulnerable consumers may not benefit from intraday time of use tariffs. Smart metering offers many potential benefits but there are concerns that many of the consumer benefits will not be realised."
There are many more interesting facts about smart meters on WikipeadiA's link including quote: Electricity pricing usually peaks at certain predictable times of the day and the season. In particular, if generation is constrained, prices can rise from other jurisdictions or more costly generation is brought online. It is believed that billing customers by time of day will encourage consumers to adjust their consumption habits to be more responsive to market prices. Regulatory and market design agencies hope these "price signals" will delay the construction of additional generation or at least the purchase of energy from higher priced sources, thereby controlling the steady and rapid increase of electricity prices.[citation needed] There are some concerns however that low income and vulnerable consumers may not benefit from intraday time of use tariffs. Smart metering offers many potential benefits but there are concerns that many of the consumer benefits will not be realised."
- There's More ----------->CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL DETAILS<---------------
- What this is basically telling us is that when these smart meters are installed in our homes they will tell the power co. if we are complying with their guidelines for power usage & times of usage. When we don't, we will have to pay more for our power - ALL of the power we use for that month as a penalty. The cost of these smart meters will also be passed on to us as consumers. So just when everyone is trying to cut back on expenses, our monthly power bills are all about to increase - ALL LOT! SO HAVING THE ABILITY TO CREATE YOUR OWN POWER HAS NOW BECOME AN ESSENTIAL!
CBS News Investigates Smart Meters
PG&E Interview
Smart Meter News - Are Smart Meters Safe?
Stay Up To Date On The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The is a good site. It is strictly about smart meter news. There is also a comment section at the bottom to leave your opinion & vote on the ones you agree & disagree with for each article on the site. The quote below comes from the article Sex, Lies and Smart Meters - The Truth Is Out There.
- ----------------->CLICK HERE TO GO TO SMART METERS<--------------------------
- Article quote: "Are Wireless Smart Meters safe? It's a question we get asked hourly it seems. We have always given the same response "they are no more harmful than a mobile phone". Ask me the question, "Are mobiles phones safe", and then I would have to say "no".
The Dark Side Of Smart Meters
Hear What The Expert Says
PAYING MORE FOR YOUR PRIVACY
PG&E Proposes Charging Customers To Opt Out Of Smart Meter
PG&E has proposed charging customers more who choose to 'opt out' of the smart meter program additional fees & surcharges!
- ----------------->CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PG&E ARTICLE<-----------------
- This proposal if passed, will allow the utility to recoup the expenses it says are associated with running an opt-out program by charging participating customers. The utility has come up with a rate program with one-time charges of either $135 or $270, plus either monthly fixed charges or a surcharge on hourly rates for gas and electric.
The Truth About Smart Meters!
Numerous Opinions & Reports By Experts
I know this is long, but you really need to watch (or at least listen) to every minute. If you only watch one video here please watch this one! You will not find this info on your local news!
Smart Meters In Maine
Did The East Coast Get An Opt Out Option?
According to The Free Press smart meter installations will begin in Maine starting in April 2011. So many complainants were requesting an opportunity to opt out of having smart meters installed that a settlement on the question was scheduled for Thursday, March 24, at the Maine PUC.
Additionally, the same article goes on to say "One potential alternative to having a smart meter installed is to have a meter with a hardwired telephone connection. The cost to do so, according to CMP analysis submitted to the Maine PUC, would be a one-time fee of $537 and a monthly cost of $29. Another option, relocation of the smart meter to a remote location, would have an estimated one-time fee of $353, with no additional monthly fee.
Additionally, the same article goes on to say "One potential alternative to having a smart meter installed is to have a meter with a hardwired telephone connection. The cost to do so, according to CMP analysis submitted to the Maine PUC, would be a one-time fee of $537 and a monthly cost of $29. Another option, relocation of the smart meter to a remote location, would have an estimated one-time fee of $353, with no additional monthly fee.
- ----------------->READ THE FULL FREE PRESS ARTICLE HERE<---------------------
- The smart meters, aka the Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI, will allow CMP to read meters remotely, cancel accounts, track usage and outages by specific location, share specific information with customers that will allow them to reduce energy use, and "eliminate the human workforce of meter-readers".
I THOUGHT THE IDEA WAS TO CREATE JOBS - NOT ELIMINATE THEM NATIONALLY!!
Stop Smart Meters - There's A whole Website!
Looks Like They Might NOT Be Safe After All!
Wow! There are just so many articles here including safety, residents rights, videos, very interesting stuff. When I started this I was just irritated about the utilities being able to track our usage, charge us more for using power at the wrong time & turn off our power when we use too much. I have learned way more than I bargained for.
- ------------------------->READ THESE ARTICLES HERE<-------------------------------
- This quote comes from SmartMeters: What's next? By Howard Glasser "What part of "no" don't they understand? We've posted signs saying do not install. We tell them no at the door. Kelseyville's District Supervisor Rob Brown has followed Wellington trucks to people's homes advising residents that they can say no when PG&E's SmartMeter messenger and facilitator tells us we don't have a choice. Like other cities and counties around the state, our county supervisors passed a moratorium putting a ban on installation until AB 37 has its chance in Sacramento to provide customers with an opt-out position. People have formed citizen blockades to stop SmartMeter installations. We've written our legislators. We've contacted PG&E and the CPUC. What more do we have to do? It seems that with all this and an ongoing, ever-growing movement of health professionals and scientists, community groups and regional organizations all essentially saying "stop!" we're nonetheless being besieged by an industry with deadlines they are bent on meeting come hell or high water and the public be damned in the process".
Make Sure You Are Safe In Your Home
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Again, I had no idea when I started looking for information about smart meters that I was going to fall off into this hole of information. Personally, when the smart meter does make it to my home I will be refusing.
by gardenlady
I have been a gardener since I was 17 (which was a long time ago). My interests lie in gardening, becoming self-sufficient, natural cures, natural foo... more »
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