1) I have asked you all to please take the fire report executive summary (and/or the report) directly to your MLA. Face to face with a constituent will get the MLA’s attention, I believe, more than an impersonal email. I realize that this is not always easy to do. Staff members are told to answer questions, relieve the MLAs of having to meet with constituents where possible. It’s time that the MLAs remember they work for us, and will be held responsible for their failures to do so.
2) A member who called the Ombudsperson to complain about fees was told that many people are calling about this issue. Please continue to call – complain about fires and discriminatory fees. The phone number is 1-800-567-3247.
As well I found a form for complaints at the Privacy and Information Commissioner. If you are asking questions but getting no answers, or incorrect information (e.g.lies), this is the office for complaints https://www.oipc.bc.ca/media/11772/form_complaint-to-public-body.pdf . One member today was told by the smart meter department that it’s not true that Sask. has stopped its smart meter program. This is the sort of mis-information that this dept has handed out since this beginning.
3) The Green Gazette, published here in BC, has an excellent article by Cindy Sage about autism and RF, page 11
http://issuu.com/thegreengazette/docs/thegreengazetteaugsept2014/1?e=9773462/8955325
4) A member emptied his home in May, had all services discontinued, and is still getting a bill for $23 a month from Hydro. After weeks of threats of having collection agencies come calling and ruining his credit rating, the member paid, but kept demanding an explanation why he should be billed when no electricity is being used. Eventually, when they had no other answer, he was told there was a $23 a month “meter rental charge”. He got another $23 bill today, which he said he will never pay. This is being taken to the BCUC complaint dept, and the Ombudsperson. BC Hydro is competing with Hydro One for the least competent utility in Canada.
Below are some really good letters. Please share your letters to and from MLAs re fires.
Letters:
Copy of complaint by a member to the BC Ombudsperson at https://www.ombudsman.bc.ca/how-to-make-a-complaint/online-complaint-form
| How did you hear about our office? | From another person who complained about BC Hydro’s smart meter program |
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BC Utilities Commission |
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Mr. Patrick Wruck |
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As an retired engineer with a doctorate I have become aware of two urgent and potentially life-threatening safety matters to do with BC Hydro’s installation of electronic meters on bases designed, tested, and CSA certified for use with analog meters. Believing the BCUC has a mandate for safety under Section 25 of the Utilities Commission Act, I brought these concerns to the BCUC’s attention, and basically it seems they aren’t going to do anything about them. |
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I first described my concerns to Mr. Wruck in an email on May 28, 2014. Since then we have exchanged several emails, the most recent one dated Aug 12, 2014 saying “It is my understanding the BCUC is responsible for public safety when it comes to utilities in BC. Did the Clean Energy Act and/or Directive 4 relieve the BCUC of this responsibility? If I don’t hear from you within two days that the BCUC is onto this I’ll be taking my concerns to the provincial Ombudsman. Having received no reply from the BCUC since, I am bringing my safety concerns, along with a concern about the BCUC’s lack of response, to you. |
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In my opinion innocent citizens getting burned or electrocuted because a regulatory body has failed to act according to its mandate is unfair. |
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I would like to see BC Hydro compelled to issue safety warnings and undertake remedial action immediately. |
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Yes it’s urgent. Fires related to electronic (‘smart’) meters are happening regularly throughout BC and the rest of North America, and citizen safety needs to be assured. |
A series of 3 emails re. meter certification/expiry, read from the bottom up from # 1
#3
Sent: August 19, 2014 8:47 AM
To: Smart Meters
Cc: mem.minister@gov.bc.ca; john horgan mla; mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca; don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca; commission.secretary@bcuc.com; Noble, Sharon
Subject: Re: BC Hydro Meter
Jessica,
Thank you for your response. We now have a further question regarding the justification for replacing our expired analog meter with a different, previously used analog meter with an unknown history and an expiry date undisclosed until it is installed?
In several recent messages to customers with analog meters, BC Hydro has stated that all analog electrical meters with Measurement Canada seals that expire in 2014 or earlier must by law be taken out of service. The wording has varied, but the message has been the same:
“The Measurement Canada seal on the meter at your premises has expired and the meter must be exchanged to ensure compliance with federal regulations.” (Letter to all customers with expired or expiring Measurement Canada seals from Greg Reimer, dated April 29, 2014)
“BC Hydro is required by law to replace any meters where the Measurement Canada accuracy seal has expired….approximately 9,500 legacy meters need to be removed from service prior to December 31, 2014 to comply with Measurement Canada” (Letter from Janet Fraser, Chief Regulatory Officer at BC Hydro to Erica Hamilton, Commission Secretary, British Columbia Utilities Commission, dated May 12, 2014)
“BC Hydro is required to have all meters where the seal expires in 2014 or earlier removed from service by December 31, 2014, per Measurement Canada’s dispensation. BC Hydro may incur significant penalties if it fails to comply with this directive.” (Letter from Janet Fraser, Chief Regulatory Officer at BC Hydro to Erica Hamilton, Commission Secretary, British Columbia Utilities Commission, dated May 12, 2014)
“The BC Hydro meter at your residence is being replaced because the Measurement Canada accuracy seal has expired and the meter must be removed from service. BC Hydro is legally obligated to ensure that grid equipment, including meters, meets all applicable standards and requirements.” (E-mail sent to all customers who asked BC Hydro for the expiry date of their own meters, signed with various first names only, Smart Metering Specialist Team, dated May 27, 2014)
Our question is this: Would you or someone else from the Smart Meter Program please provide us with the exact wording, regulation number, and date of the Measurement Canada regulation that requires the removal of expired but still-functioning electrical meters?
Thank you,
#2
From: “Smart Meters” <SmartMeters@bchydro.com>
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2014 9:44:26 AM
Subject: BC Hydro Meter
Dear,
Thank you for contacting the BC Hydro Smart Metering Program
Thank you for your enquiry. Please find the information you requested below:
- The date my meter was initially put into service. – (Sept. 09, 1983)
- The year in which my meter was initially due for re-verification. – (1995)
- For the first re-verification of my meter by the sampling method, (a) the lot identification number – (Group 242), (b) the number of meters in the lot – (record is not available), (c) the conformance status of my meter – (Pass), (d) the extension period in years determined for the sample and its parent lot – (8 years), and (e) the year in which my meter became due for subsequent re-verification – (2003)
- For each subsequent re-verification of my meter by the sampling method, (a) the lot identification number – (Group 242), (b) the number of meters in the lot – (6,957), (c) the conformance status of my meter – (Pass), (d) the extension period in years determined for the sample and its parent lot – (8 years), and (e) the year in which my meter was due for the next re-verification – (2011 but was granted dispensation by Measurement Canada and extended to 2014).
If you have any further questions or concerns about BC Hydro’s Meter Choices Program, please contact BC Hydro’s Smart Metering Specialist Team at 1 800 409 8199.
Sincerely,
Jessica
BC Hydro
Smart Metering Specialist Team
Smart Metering Program
E-mail: smartmeters@bchydro.com
Phone: 1 800 409 8199
_________________________
#1
From:
Sent: 2014, June 26 8:03 AM
To: Smart Meters
Subject: expiry date of analog meter
To BC Hydro:
Please provide me with the following information regarding my existing analog meter, #. My account number is ########.
- The date my meter was initially put into service.
- The year in which my meter was initially due for re-verification.
- For the first re-verification of my meter by the sampling method, (a) the lot identification number, (b) the number of meters in the lot, (c) the conformance status of my meter, (d) the extension period in years determined for the sample and its parent lot, and (e) the year in which my meter became due for subsequent re-verification.
- For each subsequent re-verification of my meter by the sampling method, (a) the lot identification number, (b) the number of meters in the lot, (c) the conformance status of my meter, (d) the extension period in years determined for the sample and its parent lot, and (e) the year in which my meter was due for the next re-verification.
Thank you for this information, which I understand Measurement Canada requires you to keep.
Sent: August 19, 2014 8:50 AM
To: commission.secretary@bcuc.com; Complaints BCUC:EX; corix@stopsmartmetersbc.ca; smartmeters@bchydro.com; emh.minister@gov.bc.ca; john.drove@gmail.com; Greg Reimer BC Hydro; John Horgan MLA
Cc: patrick.wruck@bcuc.com; info@bcombudsperson.ca
Subject: it’s time to wake up…
Good day, folks!
Could you please explain to me why YOU, the BC Premiere, the BC Utilities Commission, The BC Energy Minister Bill Bennett,
BC HYDRO and ALL Corix employees… are ignoring and violating 7 of the Canadian Charter Of Rights and Freedoms as well as the Democratic, Civil and Human rights of every tax paying voting citizen in British Columbia who has a smart meter installed on their home or business.
You are bullying and and attempting to blackmail those of us who do not want a smart meter…
What an outstanding example you’re setting… in front of the citizens of this province. We, the people connect and come together every single day about this HUGE issue.
We never forget, ESPECIALLY when it’s time for our Provincial and Federal elections.
http://www.bcfirst.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Smart-Meters.pdf
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Proud member of The Coalition To STOP smart meters in BC