1) Below is a letter a member received in response to a letter asking for justification of the extraordinarily high “legacy” fees. BCUC has the responsibility to ensure the fees are set appropriately and I believe we should be demanding an audit by an independent body. At no time was a full review done by an independent auditor to determine if the costs incurred were real, needed, or fair. I suggest we all write to Patrick Wruck and demand an immediate review, and not one done by Hydro either.
2) In the UK, people who refuse smart meters face criminal charges, this despite panels finding that the benefits do not justify the costs. Also there are concerns about safety, with meters there not meeting safety standards – just like in BC.
“Just last week the UK energy industry criticised the government proposals for testing smart meters, for not meeting industry standards, which does not bode well for Britain.”
“In March this year the coalition government amended “The Heat Network (Metering and Billing Regulations) 2014 ” to make it a criminal offence if public and private landlords do not fit smart meters in their properties if they have more than one tenant and the heat is supplied from “communal or district” heat networks.”
https://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/mel-kelly/smart-meters-criminalising-landlords-ripping-off-consumers
3) The attached article by Dr. Martin Pall refutes findings of the Royal Society Panel that reviewed Safety Code 6. Evidence that wireless devices are harmful has been available for decades yet Health Canada refuses to acknowledge, as does our provincial health officer, Perry Kendall. This seems to be a case of willful blindness which results in harmful negligence. The section titled “What is in the report” starting on page 104 is especially interesting and has info that should be presented to Kendall and others who hide behind Safety Code 6.
“… the (Royal Society Panel’s) Report does not provide a comprehensive review. Rather it engages, as documented below, in what can be referred to as “cherry-picking” – selecting studies consistent with its assumptions. Moreover, it often ignores studies that are not consistent with its assumption that there are no biological effects excepting those that, in their view, may be tied to heating.” Pg. 104 Read the report here – reveh-2015-1
4) Companies, restaurants, etc. offering “digital” holidays, time away from being connected (and irradiated). People who are sensitive or who wish to avoid exposure might have some places to eat and shop!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/3317/digital-detox-holidays-switching-off-from-technology-dependency.html
5) Many of us are considering going off grid to get out from under the tyrannical rule of Hydro and Fortis. This might be of interest:
Off-grid homes are the subject of this week’s edition of Off The Grid Radio as we talk to author Roxyann Spanfelner, whose new book, How To Build The Perfect Off Grid Home, tells you what you need to know to get started.
6) Why are governments involved in mandating that $$meters be put on homes, even where the utility is privately owned? This is happening around the world.
According to Transparency Market Research’s new market research report, titled ‘Electricity Meters Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2012 – 2018’, governments and many other legislative bodies across the globe are undertaking various initiatives to make sure smart meters are implemented in their own regions, propelling the global electricity meters market over the next few years.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2656960#ixzz3k803lxVb
****************************************
Letters:
From: “Complaints BCUC:EX” <Complaints@bcuc.com>
Subject: RE: Why does the BCUC not take action?
Date: August 25, 2015 at 8:54:15 AM PDT
To: X
Dear X
Thank you for your email to the BC Utilities Commission regarding your concerns about the charges for retaining the analogue meter (referred to as the Legacy Meter Charge under the Meter Choices Program).
As you know, the BC Utilities Commission was required to set rates for the Meter Choices Program in accordance with Direction No. 4 from the provincial government. In accordance with Direction No. 4, the Commission was required to set BC Hydro rates such that the program costs, investigation costs and infrastructure costs for legacy meters are recovered from only those customers where a legacy meter is installed. Accordingly, the Commission reviewed BC Hydro’s application and approved rates in accordance with Direction No. 4.
Given that the Commission set rates as directed by government, your concerns may be better addressed by government, specifically the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
More information regarding this matter is contained in my email to you dated July 15, 2014 (enclosed). Thank you again for contacting the Commission.
Regards,
Patrick Wruck
Customer Relations Analyst
British Columbia Utilities Commission
6th Floor, 900 Howe Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2N3
Website: www.bcuc.com
Phone: 604.660.4700 | Fax: 604.660.1102 | Toll Free: 1.800.663.1385
****************************
Newsletter prepared by Sharon Noble
The cost of wireless convenience: EHS, infertility, cancer.