1)In Israel one of the "selling points" of their $$mart water meter is that it can tell how much water is used for what reason. "Our system determines what we call your 'waterprint,'" he explained. The Flowless system consists of a small meter placed next to a water meter attached to the pipe, which measures the flow of water using a variety of methods, including sensors that "listen" to the flow of water and predictive analytics. "We learn the patterns of usage, for example what a shower in a home uses up or how much water is flushed down the toilet each day in an office," said Hertz..... While there are other smart water meters on the market, said Hertz, none dig as deeply as Aqua-Rimat's." http://www.timesofisrael.com/start-up-says-its-waterprint-tracking-can-save- a-home/ Similar admission in Australia: http://www.watercorporation.com.au/water-supply-and-services/solutions-to-pe rths-water-supply/reducing-water-use/yanchep-smart-meters Meanwhile Germany is still struggling with the entire program: "For weeks "smart metering" has dominated the German media: On the one hand, progress in the legal framework conditions (draft of a "Law for the digitisation of transition the energy") has been welcomed, on the other hand there is quite a lot of disappointment in the industry (from "much too slow" or "much too expensive" to "unnecessary") and a great deal of uncertainty for consumers ("compulsory fitting", misgivings about data protection)." https://www.e-world-essen.com/en/press-information/press-releases/single/vie w/2015/12/18/bemd-konferenz-europaeische-erfahrungswerte-beim-smart-metering / 2) More international $$meter programs. I have yet to read anything that explains what all of this data about us is needed. "A smart meter records water use by the hour and provides information on how and when water is used in and around the home." South Africa: http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Eskom/eskom-steps-up-gauteng-smart-meter-rollou t-20151220 3) US Homeland Security has published yet another report warning about the cybersecurity risks of the "$$mart City". There is much about cyber-vulnerabilities of the grid, and starting on page 28 there are concerns specific to meter$$ which enable more entry ways for attack. More security issues that should be sent to every MP. "Access to and control of individual smart meters could allow a malicious actor to tamper with and alter the integrity of energy-use information flowing back to AMI servers and utility control centers. This type of attack could effectively allow a malicious actor to under-report or over-report consumer-energy use. Similarly, smart meters could be manipulated to provide access to in-home devices, giving the malicious actor information about consumers' whereabouts (e.g., low-level energy use could be an indicator that a user is not home), habits, or personal and financial information-compromising consumer privacy, safety, and security. An alternative to remotely accessing an installed smart meter is targeting the meters during the manufacturing process. This strategy would compromise smart meters from the moment they are installed, removing the need to hack into the system." https://info.publicintelligence.net/DHS-OCIA-SmartCities.pdf And this was in many US newspapers, on the front pages I was told: Private firms have alleged other recent hacks of networks and machinery tied to the U.S. power grid were carried out by teams from within Russia and China, some with governmental support. Even the Islamic State group is trying to hack American power companies, a top Homeland Security official told industry executives in October. The attack involving Calpine is particularly disturbing because the cyberspies grabbed so much, according to previously unreported documents and interviews. Cybersecurity experts say the breach began at least as far back as August 2013 http://bigstory.ap.org/article/19a230cf90024e46b13a0b2b50fc4c97/ap-investiga tion-us-power-grid-vulnerable-foreign-hacks 4) As an intervener in Hydro's application for a review of the Tariff I received an email (below) with the changes Hydro is wanting to make. https://www.bchydro.com/ex/rr/pdfs/20151221RDAREV.pdf There are somethings about which I have major concerns. Please read through the amendments and see if you find other things about which we should be concerned. 1-5 (Definitions) Radio -off Meter --A smart Smart meter Meter adjusted so that the meter's components that transmit data by radio are deactivated. This must include transmit and receive data. Otherwise Hydro can send signals to the meter and the transmitter will not be entirely deactivated. If this is still able to receive, then Hydro can "activate" remotely, without having permission to do so. Also it will be able to receive other wireless transmissions. 9.5 Liability of BC Hydro BC Hydro will endeavour to provide a regular and uninterrupted supply of Electricity but does not guarantee a constant supply of Electricity or the maintenance of unvaried frequency or voltage and will not be responsible or liable for any loss, injury, damage or expense caused by or resulting from any interruption, termination, failure or defect in the provision of Electricity, whether caused by the negligence of BC Hydro, or its representatives or agents or otherwise, except to the extent that the loss, injury, damage or expense results directly from the wilful misconduct of BC Hydro or its representatives or agents, provided, however, that neither BC Hydro, nor any of its representatives or agents is responsible for any loss of profit, loss of revenue or other economic loss, even if the loss arises directly from the wilful misconduct of BC Hydro or its representatives or agents. This is nothing new, but it has always bugged me. Why should Hydro or any company not be responsible for damage done by its employees, even if due to negligence?? Or responsible for any economic loss that occurs due to willful misconduct? 11.3 Minimum Reconnection Charges The following Minimum Reconnection Charges apply to reconnections performed by BC Hydro pursuant to section 2.10 (Re-Application for Service) or section 6.7 (Minimum Reconnection Charge). Remote and manual reconnections performed during regular working hours and remote reconnections performed outside of BC Hydro working hours (default Minimum Reconnection Charge) Note 1 $30.00 per meter Manual reconnections performed outside of regular working hours Note 1 $280.00 per meter Manual reconnections at the Point of Delivery because the Customer failed to provide access to the meter Note 1 $700.00 per meter I still have received no explanation or justification for the $700 reconnection charge if termination of power was due to inability to access the meter. This is excessive and punitive. Service agreement -. BC Hydro serves Customers solely in accordance with the Electric Tariff, including Terms and Conditions and Rate Schedules. Individuals, persons or other entities seeking to become Customers and purchase Electricity shall apply for service. why is this removed? Does this mean that Hydro is not governed by the Electric Tariff any longer?? If not, then Hydro has no limitations to what it can do at all. It appears to me that they are planning on doing things that would be illegal if they had to abide by the Tariff **************************** Letters: _______________________________________________ Notice of Regulatory Filing BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application The following has been filed by BC Hydro: Filed Documents: Proposed Electric Tariff Amendments and Related Documents <http://www.bchydro.com/ex/rr/pdfs/20151221RDAREV.pdf> Please note that this link will expire within seven days. Date Filed: December 21, 2015 Hard copies only available upon request. LINK TO BCUC WEBSITE <http://www.bcuc.com/ApplicationView.aspx?ApplicationId=511> You are receiving this email for information only. If you no longer wish to receive emails regarding this matter or if you feel there are others who should receive these emails going forward, please notify bchydroregulatorygroup@bchydro.com <mailto:bchydroregulatorygroup@bchydro.com> ******************************************** Happy holidays, Sharon
