1) Non-smeter/RF. As requested by a long-time member who lives on Salt Spring Island [SSI], please take a few minutes to watch a 9 minute video showing a major threat to a coastal area of Denman Island. This could happen to SSI if proposed “shellfish farming” is allowed.
(click on photos to enlarge)
2) Smeter growth in the USA has slowed down, in part due to some states refusing to grant approval for them due to insufficient benefits for the costs. Also, there is increased concern about health effects and data use. The early push occurred because of US Federal money to subsidize costs and the push succeeded, in large part, because it was done before people knew about the many problems and consequences. Note the proposed cost for 1.3 million meters as $350 million. That is $269 US per smeter compared to $550 per smeter in BC. I have never seen information on the status of smeters across Canada. It would be interesting to know the penetration percentage.
Smart meter deployments slow as questions emerge over cost effectiveness, saturation
“More recently, privacy concerns have grown as the amount and type of data the devices can collect has broadened. Smart meter issues wound up in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit this year, with a panel of judges concluding readings from smart meters constitute a “warrantless search.”
There have long been arguments that the savings smart meters generate do not justify the cost. Regulators in Kentucky and Massachusetts were not so blunt, but they did reject proposals this year over concerns that utilities did not sufficiently make the business case. AMI deployments are expensive: Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric had proposed to install AMI for 1.3 million customers over the next five years, but the plan carried a $350 million price tag…
A Congressional Research Service report in April described the introduction of AMI as “problematic.”
“Smart meters have run into cost and performance issues and resistance to the technology (generally from concerns of some customers over potential health impacts of radio wave emissions),” the report said.”
[http://www.napervillesmartmeterawareness.org/
2018 Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced Metering by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – November 2018 – https://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/2018/DR-AM-Report2018.pdf]
3) In the article in item 2 above, the reference to the “report” is quite interesting, with acknowledgement that many of our concerns are justified. The link can be opened by clicking on “report” or https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R45156.pdf . For many reasons that are included in this report plus others that are not, we must fight to get the Clean Energy Act changed to allow us to get rid of these things.
The Smart Grid: Status and Outlook
by Richard J. Campbell – Congressional Research Service R45156 – April 10, 2018
“Modernization of the grid has been accomplished to various degrees as new digital systems replace old analog components. Attempts to introduce some components of the Smart Grid have been deemed successful (e.g., the deployment of synchrophasors providing real-time information on system power conditions and the replacement of old inverters on solar photovoltaic systems with smart inverters capable of disconnecting from the grid during times of power interruption).46 But introduction of other components have been problematic. Smart meters have run into cost and performance issues and resistance to the technology (generally from concerns of some customers over potential health impacts of radio wave emissions).47…
While these new components may add to the ability to control power flows and enhance the efficiency of grid operations, they also potentially increase the susceptibility of the grid to cyberattack. Other aspects of Smart Grid systems, such as wireless and two-way communications through internet-connected devices, can also increase cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The potential for a major disruption or widespread damage to the nation’s power system from a large-scale cyberattack has increased focus on the cybersecurity of the Smart Grid.56…
If customers participate in demand-side management programs, then customer usage data can provide a wealth of information for a variety of programs for interruptible loads or time-of-use rates. But customer-specific data stored in home area networks (HANs)—or customer-specific data communicated between the HAN and distribution utility (or load aggregator)—must be secure to protect the privacy of information. EVs may offer another potential payload of data on customer movement and habits if data collected or stored is not restricted to electricity consumption for billing purposes.”
The footnote #47 references a statement by the American Cancer Society which does acknowledge that exposure to microwave radiation from a cell phone increases the risk of cancer. A first as far as I recall.
“47 American Cancer Society, “Smart Meters,” 2018, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/smart-meters.html . Smart meters emit the same type of radiofrequency (RF) waves as cell phones and wi-fi devices. The American Cancer Society notes that, “because the amount of RF radiation you could be exposed to from a smart meter is much less than what you could be exposed to from a cell phone, it is very unlikely that living in a house with a smart meter increases risk of cancer.”
Letters:
& https://www.bchydro.com/search.html?site=bchydro-com&client=bchydro-com&proxystylesheet=bchydro-com&output=xml_no_dtd&q=smart+metering+program
From: Rod Hancock (name given with permission)
Sent: November 29, 2018
To: premier@gov.bc.ca
Cc: Sharon Noble
Subject:
Mr. Horgan
So far you have been dealing with people writing you letters; I just want you to know that I am willing to go to jail to prevent a smart meter being attached to my house. If (when) they show up I shall be calling 911 and a friend of mine at a local newspaper so the public can be made aware of the result of your ignoring an issue you championed while in opposition but have no interest in dealing with now that you are elected.
Apparently the RCMP have been called on at least one occasion when someone refused a meter and I believe this is outside their jurisdiction. It would appear you have no interest in the rights, safety or security of the citizens of BC, many who voted for you, regarding this issue. As is always the case, I am sure these chickens will come home to roost at some point. Just know that I have lost faith in all politicians of all levels and their political “promises”. Maybe someday legislation will be passed to make politicians accountable for these statements they make to get elected, but I am not holding my breath waiting for it.
Rod Hancock
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead