- The incandescent lightbulb, which has served us well for decades, has been declared “ungreen” by the industry and many who believe that new technology always is better. The CFL bulb contains mercury and the disposal of it is a problem the consequences of which could damage the earth for many years. Also, it emits RF and flickers, causing many prone to migraines to suffer greatly. These have been replaced with LED bulbs which supposedly are better and last longer, but there are issues regarding these, too. Attached is a report done by someone in California who has raised concerns about RF and EMF for many years.
- For those who wish to contact MP candidates this website might help. It gives twitter and Facebook contacts, but no email addresses. If you prefer to email, you’ll have to google the candidate by name and on their webpage there usually is an email form or address.
http://www.electionalmanac.com/ea/canada-ridings-candidates-british-columbia/
Here are some ideas for questions, which are appropriate for those who are sensitive to RF/EMF now that airplanes are filled with wifi. Many are unable to travel, and those of us who can are exposed to very high levels of emissions for the entire duration of the trip, often resulting in arriving at the destination feeling unwell. None of this is necessary for an enjoyable, safe trip.
- In Michigan media is refusing to share the facts about the assault of the customers of DTE. This is exactly what has happened to so many in BC. Where is the outrage?
- Below is communication between a member and BCUC. In the final email, for the first time BCUC admitted that it set the legacy fees based upon demands of the government, and it did not, as a consequence, take into consideration the fairness or possible discrimination of performing the same services (e.g. reading meters manually) for smart metered homes. I think this is very important and we should demand a review of the fees, the services, and the discrimination occurring. Please consider writing to Patrick Wruck, (complaints@bcuc.com) copying your MLA, and media. If you need email addresses, go to stopsmartmetersbc.com and look at “contacts”.
- A member sent this article from a newspaper in Barbados in June 2015. In it Perry Kendall misleads totally about the HESA committee that reviewed and criticized the Royal Society report. He says that a group of “advocates” influenced the committee. This is what he calls real experts like Dr. Martin Pall who advise that the Society was biased and cherry picked studies to include in the review. Perry Kendall is a disgrace to the medical profession.
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Letters:
Highlighting is mine.
From: Complaints BCUC:EX [mailto:Complaints@bcuc.com]
Sent: September 8, 2015 2:55 PM
To: X
Subject: RE: analog meter fees
Dear X
Thank you for your follow-up email to the BC Utilities Commission regarding your concerns about BC Hydro’s monthly fee for customers choosing to retain an analogue meter (referred to as the Legacy Meter Charge) under the Meter Choices Program. It is our understanding that you are wondering why customers choosing to retain the analogue meters are being charged extra fees when other customers with smart meters that have to be manually read are not paying any fees.
The Commission’s review of BC Hydro’s application for the charges related to the Meter Choices Program (including the Legacy Meter Charge) was limited by Direction No. 4 (Order in Council No. 391) from the government to the Commission. This Direction is available at: http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/SpecialDirections/2013/OIC-391-SD4-BCHSMI-Options.pdf
The provincial government made a policy decision by issuing Direction No. 4 to the Commission. In that direction, the government directed the Commission to set rates to allow BC Hydro to recover the costs for legacy and radio-off meters to those customers only. Specifically, the Commission was directed by government to set BC Hydro rates such that the program costs, investigation costs and infrastructure costs for legacy or radio-off meters are recovered from only those customers where a legacy or radio-off 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.
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 Email: complaints@bcuc.com
Phone: 604.660.4700 | Fax: 604.660.1102 | Toll Free: 1.800.663.1385
—————–
From: X
Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 9:46 AM
To: Complaints BCUC:EX
Subject: Re: analog meter fees
Hello , so why are smeter holders not being charged , RE “ is a monthly charge that recovers costs in addition to the physical meter ready costs” When they have to manualy read them TOO!
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From: Complaints BCUC:EX
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 9:11 AM
To: ‘Tom Baker’
Subject: RE: anlog meter fees
Dear X
Thank you for your email to the BC Utilities Commission regarding your concerns about the Legacy Meter Charge.
The Legacy Meter Charge is a monthly charge that recovers costs in addition to the physical meter reading costs. The Legacy Meter Charge recovers, among other things, program costs, investigation costs, and infrastructure costs. For more information about the costs recovered through the Legacy Meter Charge you may wish to review the Commission’s decision regarding this matter available at: http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Decisions/2014/DOC_41269_04-25-2014_BCH%20Meter%20Choices_Decision_G-59-14_WEB.pdf
The Commission’s review of BC Hydro’s application for the charges related to the Meter Choices Program was limited by Order in Council 391, Direction No. 4 from the provincial government. Direction No. 4 required the Commission to set rates that allow BC Hydro to recover the costs listed above (i.e. program costs, investigation costs, and infrastructure costs). This Direction is available at: http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/SpecialDirections/2013/OIC-391-SD4-BCHSMI-Options.pdf.
I trust this information is helpful. Thank you 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 Email: complaints@bcuc.com
Phone: 604.660.4700 | Fax: 604.660.1102 | Toll Free: 1.800.663.1385
—————
From: X
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 1:09 PM
To: Complaints BCUC:EX
Subject: analog meter fees
Hello , BCUC . 3 or 4 years ago bchydro ran a program and promoted energy conservation . The power smart program. I took part and saved more than %10 of power consumed compared to the year before . Over 3 years I saved more than % 30. My Bill started to reflect that savings but as bchydro keeps raising their rates ‘'[above inflation ] , so now I am still using %30 or %40 less power than a few years ago my Hydro bill is now larger than it was before I started conserving. This is mainly due to the rates going up and some extra charges ??
BChydro brought in smart meters which have proven to be not what we were told , they don’t save power they use it , they don’t alert the company in the event of a power outage, and they are not communicating or sending the readings a lot of the time so they have to be manually read, BUT they do cost more $555 compare to $50, and they do Start Fires on our houses !! Which bchydro is hiding by removing the meter before any investigation . And everyone that gets a smeter is complaining about HIGHER than normal bills, so they actually read fast or higher. I got kicked off the powersmart program because I didn’t want a smeter on my home , they said “ you can’t be in it with out a smeter, why its all about the bottom line anyways? . that’s discrimination. I am still striving to conserve but my bill no longer reflects it Because of the extra charges they put on!! For $24 worth of power I pay $82 of extra charges , now that’s Highway robbery or is it extortion because I don’ want my house to burn down? I see that the charges to keep an analog in North America are more down to earth at about $5 or $10 a month . I know it doesn’t cost $ 64 to read a meter . Why are we being ripped off so badly ?? It is time that these fees were reviewed and lowered to a more acceptable level. WE are being charged the highest rate than anyone else in north America maybe the world .
Thanks for your reply,
X
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Sharon Noble
“In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot.” Czeslaw Milosz