1) Today in Salt Spring 2 people got brand new analogs, straight out of the box. Installer very pleasant. Great news.
2) Our security and privacy is at risk more and more with the “internet of things” (IoT). The $meters, with their wireless technology and zigbee chips, will make how we use our appliances and what we do in our homes available to any corporation willing to pay or any hacker.
“The goal is to put almost anything on the Internet so it can communicate with remote computers, other devices, or even people. According to Juniper Research, “the management of devices is key to M2M and distinguishes it from the Internet of Things where any object may be furnished with connectivity on an ad hoc basis.”
The term “smart” is used to describe M2M and IoT devices and applications. The availability of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) makes it possible connect billions of devices thanks to its 128-bit addresses.”
“The lack of standards is impeding progress as well. The wireless standards are fixed, but the protocols for transferring data aren’t.”
http://electronicdesign.com/communications/connected-world-awaits
3) Increase in Cybercrimes are predicted in the coming years, made possible to a large degree by wireless technology and the “internet of things.”
4) Powell River Rally, June 14, Noon, BC Hydro Bldg. 7226 Duncan St.
Follow up event Jun 14, at 7:00 pm. Showing of “Take Back Your Power”, Blue Mountain Estate Clubhouse, 7575 Duncan St. Free (by donation)
Contact Wendy Pelton 604-487-1688
5) From a member, showing that there are some installers who are helpful and reasonable, unlike many at Hydro:
“On the next day after I sent e-mail, very polite gentlemen called and said that he has a work order to replace my old meter with the same type and he accommodated all my wishes. He waited for me while I was coming from work and he let me choose the analog meter I like and installed it with me. I don’t know if BC Hydro read my e-mail or this is our cooperative pressure on them”
6) Something odd: one member reports that when she told the Corix installer she wanted to call her electrician, he said NO!! He would not allow her to have an electrician watch his work!! He was so agitated by the suggestion, that the member objected to his installing the meter and sent him away. Quite bizarre.
7) A recent public meeting with experts in the field of RF and EMF in East Bay, California discuss ““slow tsunami of information that was being ignored by the money interests of wireless technology”
http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_25905944/lafayette-panel-addresses-dangers-wireless-technology
8) UK — Smart meter benefits lower than promised, warns National Audit Office – Net benefits of technology which is meant to give consumers more control over energy are reduced from £8.3bn to £6.2bn:
– http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/06/smart-meter-benefits-national-audit-office
9) Barclays has downgraded the electrical utility sector believing solar is the way of the future – the very near future!!!
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Letters
Looking for the whole truth on smart meters by David Aliaga – Flying Shingle – June 9, 2014:
– http://www.flyingshingle.com/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=20140609560666257817
Sent: June 9, 2014 2:06 PM
To:bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca
Cc:john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca;mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca;andrew.weaver.mla@leg.bc.ca;greg.reimer@bchydro.com; Dennis and Sharon Noble
Subject: Skullduggery Abounds
Well, those of us who have demanded that we not be burdened with the hazards of Smart Meters, have recently been informed that our analog meters will have to be replaced as they expire between now and the end of 2014. The replacement meters will be “old”analogs or you can have a digital meter if you want to substitute one bad option for another.
Trick here is, while we may be informed of the expiry date of our current meters we do not know the expiry date of the replacement meters. They may only be considered “good” for 3 or 4 years and that may be more or less than our existing meters. And, I do believe that most of us who still have our analog meter are smart enough to know that when the replacement meters “expire” (a decision made by B.C. Hydro with little or no verification), we will be told there are no more analog meters to be found. At that point, guess what? We will receive a Smart Meter.
We have valid reasons for our refusal to accept Smart Meters. All the authorities refuse to read the research from all sides of the picture – not just that from those with a financial interest in making certain we are all on the grid. There was never any public consultation on this project and we have been lied to since its inception. The lying continues and the illegal acts continue along with it. The BCUC is a non-performing toady to the B.C. government rather than attending to protecting the citizens of the province of B.C.
Sent: June 10, 2014 12:51 AM
To: Smart Meters
Cc:greg.reimer@bchydro.com;commission.secretary@bcuc.com;john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca;bill.routley.mla@leg.bc.ca;bchydro@jimvandeventer.com
Subject: Re: BC Hydro Meter
Lisa
BC Hydro Smart Metering Specialist
Team Smart Metering Program
E-mail:smartmeters@bchydro.com
Phone: 1 800 409 8199
Date: June 10, 2014 Without Prejudice
Dear Lisa,
As noted in my original e-mail, we require an appointment for the reasons we outlined. Also, we understand from Measurement Canada that an expired analog meter has until the end of the year to be replaced. Surely, you can pencil in an appointment sometime between now and December. We are already members of the Class Action against Smart Meters. If we are charged a failed installation fee for trying to protect our property, especially the CSA rating of the meter base, we will consider it “negative billing” and we reserve the right to pursue legal action. Also, we have heard people getting non-transmitting digital meters despite them having opted to “Retain Old Meter”. This is a case of “bait and switch”. We want an analog meter that will measure our power usage as before.
We do not want any digital meter that could be a source of RF noise or could be affected by RF noise like a ham radio. XX has an Advanced, 12WPM Morse Code amateur radio license with Industry Canada and we’re concerned any ham radio transmissions could register as excess usage, as well as RF noise from a digital meter’s switching power supply conducted through the Mains could interfere with radio reception.
Please send us an appointment date and time, so a certified BC Hydro electrician can switch out the current analog meter for a newly certified analog meter with the main circuit breaker off.
Please acknowledge receipt of this e-mail. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.