1) BC Hydro says it has only 2500 holdouts and they will be hitting them with loss of power. In Dec. 2013, there were 250,000 homes (not people) refusing to have a smeter on their homes. But, over the years, the high extortion fee hurt many hard and they had to succumb. As well, BC Hydro trespassed and took the analogs without notice, they lied, harassed and threatened with loss of power which is followed by a $700 fee and lack of choice to have the transmitter turned off.
Now, these amazing 2500 holdouts are being threatened with loss of power during record-breaking cold weather. BC Hydro and this government have no conscience and no willingness to consider science. People who are sick, who have doctors’ statements saying they should not be exposed to RF, people who are sensitive, people who fear for the safety of their families after learning about the design flaws that cause fires. None are of any concern to the bureaucrats who run this monopoly. People are already without power — BC Hydro having used its strong weapon to force people to take their smeters or ELSE. Freezing weather could cause major problems — could BC Hydro be liable for people freezing to death? For damage to property like pipes freezing?
We must keep fighting to prevent this from being a precedent, but more, to keep 5G from becoming a reality.
Please consider writing to this reporter and the other one [chchan@postmedia.com].
This reporter’s email is:
<gluymes@postmedia.com> (corrected)
Let her know what is happening to you and to many people.
(click on photos to enlarge)
B.C. smart-meter holdouts could lose power
“The last 2,500 smart-meter holdouts across B.C. may soon be out of options.
As the seals on the remaining “legacy” electrical meters have expired, B.C. Hydro is requiring residents who rejected installation of a smart meter in the past to switch to a “radio-off” smart meter or face having their power disconnected.
The utility company began contacting customers in August to inform them of their limited choices, issuing about 350 “final notices of disconnect” across the province, according to B.C. Hydro. So far, staff have conducted about a dozen disconnections out of more than two million accounts.
The old meters, which were usually reverified and resealed every two to 10 years, must now be removed from service when their Measurement Canada accuracy seals expire, as B.C. Hydro no longer stocks or services them.
As the seals on the remaining “legacy” meters expire, B.C. Hydro is saying residents must switch to a radio-off smart meter or face having their power disconnected.”
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-smart-meter-holdouts-could-lose-power
2) Another victim of brain cancer, most likely glioblastoma.
https://stopsmartmetersbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Victoria-raised-makeup-effects-artist-Ryan-Nicholson-dies-at-47.png
Victoria-raised makeup-effects artist Ryan Nicholson dies at 47
“Ryan Nicholson, a Victoria-raised makeup-effects artist with more than 140 film and television credits, died Tuesday after a 2 1/2-year battle with brain cancer. He was 47.”
[https://www.pophorror.com/saying-goodbye-to-special-fx-indie-filmmaker-ryan-nicholson-1971-2019/
https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/rip-filmmaker-and-fx-artist-ryan-nicholson
https://stopsmartmetersbc.com/brain-cancer/]
3) It is a well-known fact that wireless devices are vulnerable to interference. Medical devices, like pacemakers and deep-brain implants, can be affected even though newer models maintain that interference is unlikely. But has testing been done on millimeter waves and currently unused frequencies that 5G will be using? Or to the very strong signals that will be coming from transmitters so close to homes?
ABC Affiliate Asks If 5G Cell Towers Will Impact Pacemakers
“In 2007, former Vice President Dick Cheney was so worried that someone would try to murder him by hacking his wireless pacemaker that he had the antenna turned off (see 1, 2). He wasn’t wrong to worry. Over the years, the potential for pacemaker hacking has been reported by many experts. In 2017, the FDA recalled almost ½ million pacemakers due to hacking concerns.
It makes NO sense that the FDA continues to approve wireless medical devices and doctors continue to prescribe them. Electromagnetic Interference(EMI) seems to be a possibility with cell phone radiation – even the FDA says so. Even a maker of wireless toothbrushes say so.”
4) Below, in Letters, is a long stream of emails from a member to Sonia Furstenau in response to her suggestion that she would be willing to speak out to those with concerns about smeters. I have a few comments that I gave to Ron regarding BC Hydro’s letter to Sonia which I believe to be of significance:
Did you notice that BC Hydro did not respond re. fires?
Something else Sonia should question is that the opt-out fees have totalled in excess of $20-30 million. We don’t know how much because they have not been identified in any financial report. Neither have they explained what their “additional” costs for the opt out were. It is hard to understand how it required that much noney for such a modest program. Also, what about the many thousands of smeters that are manually read? Why did they put these on homes and not allow these people to keep their analogs? And who is paying for that additional cost?
Also, the explanation why the 88,000 meters were replaced makes no sense. The damaged ones should have been covered by warranty. And the 48,000 would not be removed for accuracy testing during that timeframe. Measurement Canada allows new meters to go for many years (I think 12) before they have to be certified. I recall that in one of the documents, the smeters were given a very long period before they needed to be tested. Furthermore, when the meters are removed to be tested, if they are OK they are put back into service. So there shouldn’t have been any additional cost here. Instead, it cost $20 million!! https://theprovince.com/news/b-c-hydro-must-remove-more-than-88000-smart-meters [or https://web.archive.org/web/20200611044558/https://theprovince.com/news/b-c-hydro-must-remove-more-than-88000-smart-meters] If they were put back into service, there would be no cost here. There are too many mistakes in this explanation. I hope Sonia will push for more information.
Letters:
From: “Ron Ramsey” (name given with permission)
To: “sonia furstenau mla” <Sonia.Furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2019 8:55:28 AM
Subject: Re: Smart Meter Fire Report version 2
Hello Kayla:
Thanks for your response, and we appreciate your interest in this area. Please note that Fortis has announced the rollout of a million wireless water meters in 2022. That must be stopped. And can Sonia please look at the Provincial Health Office…. this is a corrupted agency that does not serve the public. This agency must be completely separated from any political interference and should answer directly to the public. There needs to be ongoing epidemiological research on what is making the public sick.
Thank you. Please forgive my hereditary sarcasm if you can.
If she’s not already, Sonia should be on Sharon Noble’s daily newsletter to stay on top (which is impossible) of what’s happening in this area.
Ron Ramsey
******
From: Furstenau.MLA, Sonia <Sonia.Furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca>
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2019 11:25 PM
To: Ron Ramsey
Subject: Re: Smart Meter Fire Report version 2
Hi Ron,
Just in the last month, Sonia and our office have written to BC Hydro asking them to review their current smart meter policy. We believe that citizens should have a choice when it comes to what type of meter is to be installed in their household. You can see the exchange, between our office and BC Hydro, below.
While we were not happy with the response we received, Sonia is planning to continue her advocacy on this topic by discussing it with members of government during the upcoming legislative session.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope this has helped clarify our position on this issue.
All the best,
Kayla Brent
Constituency Assistant | Sonia Furstenau MLA
164 Station St, Duncan, BC V9L 1M7
********
Email from MLA’s Office:
From: Furstenau.MLA, Sonia [mailto:Sonia.Furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca]
Sent: 2019, September 10 5:24 PM
To: Customer, Relations
Cc: Minister, EMPR EMPR:EX
Subject: Furstenau, S [External] Disconnections re Smart Meters
Hello,
We in this Constituency Office have been getting a lot of requests for help in dealing with BC Hydro’s threats of disconnection for refusal of smart meter installation. There is a local group formed to fight this and they have a petition with about 70 names on it opposing this technology. They quoted Section 7 of the Canadian Constitution (right to life, liberty and security of the person) and stated their reasons for feeling threatened by this technology. They brought in some articles about the dangers of radiation from this type of equipment, and a copy of the petition.
• In B.C. Hydro needs to remove more than 88,000 smart meters that are either faulty or may not meet Measurement Canada standards, public records show.
On top of that, the Crown corporation wants to replace 8,200 old analog meters and introduce nearly 5,000 new meters that work in rural areas that have poor wireless connections.
The total bill will be at least $20 million.
• In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Source: Bob Mackin, The Province, January 19, 2016 B
Some of the concerns of citizens include:
– Higher Bills
– Cost of program
– Fires
– Health problems
– Privacy
– Safety
– Security
In July 2013, following significant opposition by customers, the provincial government directed BC Hydro to provide an opt-out program (with associated charges). Smart meters have not been popular in BC. In November 2011, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities voted in favour of a moratorium to suspend smart meter installations. Smart Meters have also been linked to real physical fires all over the country. In August 2014 the Ontario Fire Marshal said smart meters have been linked to 13 fires and 23 incident reports from 2011 to 2013.
My Questions Are:
1. Is there any way that a consumer can opt out of the smart meter program?
2. Why is it that in 2016, you needed to remove more than 88,000 smart meters which were either faulty or did not meet standards and now you are expecting the public to support the new program?
3. Why has this opt-out program changed and why are all BC Hydro customers required to change to smart meters or face disconnection.
Yours,
Tricia Datené / Constituency Assistant
Constituency Office of Sonia Furstenau, MLA
164 Station St, Duncan, BC V9L 1M7
Phone: 250-715-2793 | Fax: (778) 698-8934
Website | Facebook | Twitter
***************
Response from BC Hydro:
From: Customer, Relations <customer.relations@bchydro.com<mailto:customer.relations@bchydro.com>>
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2019 3:49 PM
To: Furstenau.MLA, Sonia
Cc: Customer, Relations
Subject: FW: Furstenau, S Disconnections re Smart Meters
Dear Ms. Datene,
We are in receipt of your emails dated September 10 and September 12, 2019 regarding the Smart Meter Installation (SMI) program. We will be responding to the questions you presented in your September 10 correspondence in this response.
Installation of smart meters was mandated by the BC Clean Energy Act. This program has not changed since it was added by the Provincial Government through Direction No. 4 to BCUC on Meter Choices Policy back in September, 2013.
In summary, on July 18, 2013, the Minister of Energy and Mines announced the Meter Choices Program to offer new meter options for customers who had delayed their smart meter installation to that point.
The Meter Choices Program offers eligible residential customers a choice of:
a) installation of a standard smart meter at no cost,
b) installation of a “radio-off” meter (which still captures hourly consumption information) for a one-time set-up fee of $22.60, a monthly operating fee of $20.00 and a one-time exit fee of $55.00 when moving or changing to a smart meter, or
c) retention of an existing legacy meter (electro-mechanical or digital) for a monthly operating fee of $32.40 – for as long as we still have stock available.
At the time BC Hydro applied to the BCUC for approval of the Meter Choice Program fees it was clear that once BC Hydro no longer had stock of legacy meters, customers must choose either a radio-off meter or a standard smart meter. Section 4.2.3.3 of BC Hydro’s Electric Tariff states:
In any case where the seal of a Legacy Meter expires, or the meter ceases to function properly, and BC Hydro does not have a suitable Legacy Meter in its meter inventory available for installation, BC Hydro will install either a Smart Meter or a Radio-off Meter at the Customer’s Premises, at the Customer’s election.
These fees help recover the additional cost of maintaining a separate metering solution, including additional resources such as:
· staff: people to manually read the non-communicating meters,
· equipment: additional meter reading devices and check meters,
· assets: such as additional telecommunications infrastructure to overcome the gaps created in our meter communications network, and
· systems: modification to the meter data and billing systems to accommodate for customers with non-communicating meters.
For more information regarding Direction No. 4 please visit: https://www.bcuc.com/Documents/SpecialDirections/2013/OIC-391-SD4-BCHSMI-Options.pdf
With respect to the 88,000 meters that were exchanged, the exchanges fell into two categories. First, Meters, like any electronic equipment are replaced due to normal course of business: broken screens, software upgrades, exterior damage etc. BC Hydro anticipated replacing 10,000 smart meters per year from 2012 – 2016. The other 48,000 meters were part of Measurement Canada’s routine meter testing process to verify they are measuring accurately. For BC Hydro’s full response to this matter please visit:
https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2016/why-we-may-need-to-exchange-some-meters.html
I trust we have addressed your questions raised. If there is anything further we can assist with please let me know.
Sincerely,
Gordon Doyle
Sr. Manager, Customer Service Ops
______________________________________________
From: Ron Ramsey
Sent: Saturday, October 5, 2019 7:28 PM
To: Furstenau.MLA, Sonia
Subject: Smart Meter Fire Report version 2 [https://stopsmartmetersbc.com/bcuc-smart-meter-fires-the-failure-to-protect/]
Hello MLA Furstenau:
Here’s a new smart meter fire report created by someone other than Sharon Noble.
Remember, you got the original report few years ago then threw it away, like the rest of our astute politicians?
‘Responsibility’ is the ability to respond to issues. We need public representatives with the ability to think for themselves and represent the best interests of the public, not merely regurgitate party talking points and avoid difficult areas. And Green party leaders that can understand science.
Next Fortis will install wireless meters in our basements starting in 2022 while our useless and gutless ‘Provincial Health Office’ merely looks in the other direction.
There are many questions you could be asking on behalf of the public. And an apology to Sharon Noble would also be highly appropriate.
Thank you.
Ron Ramsey
Sharon Noble, Director, Coalition to Stop Smart Meters
“A government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more.” ~ Albert Camus