- Major firms are building technology to build “smarter cities and homes” using Smart meters as the basis.
Ericsson also illuminated more on its dream for smarter cities and homes….
The Swedish corporation introduced three new IoT-based services on Wednesday, pitched primarily toward communications and utility providers.
One of them, dubbed Smart Metering as a Service (SMaaS), actually builds upon some pre-existing tech at Ericsson as the tech company boasted it already supports more than 42 million utility meters worldwide. This new and improved SMaaS is supposed to grow into a more fleshed out, end-to-end platform for automating and managing smart meters and the data they accumulate.
Taking that data to the next level, User & IoT Data Analytics consists of an analytics engine that can be deployed by telecom operators within their subscriber databases to trace and visualize more comprehensive profiles on customer behavior and data usage across networks….
http://www.zdnet.com/article/ces-2016-ericsson-also-wants-to-build-smarter-cities-with-software-analytics/
- Groups in the US are using the information we sent out in a Coalition press release re. certification lab admitting that Smart meters are fire hazards.
Certification laboratory says Smart Meter “design flaws…known to cause serious fire hazards” – Smart Meter Harm – January 05, 2016:
http://smartmeterharm.org/2016/01/05/international-lab-says-smart-meter-design-flaws-known-to-cause-serious-fire-hazards/
- I gave an interview on the Jim Goddard internet program about the BC Hydro attempt to re-write the Electric Tariff which BCUC is “reviewing” without our input.
(audio 26:01) Outrage Anti Smart Meter Org Banned. Sharon Noble – January 5, 2016 by Talk Digital Network – YouTube – January 05, 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKrhbusrYXA&feature=youtu.be
Below is a request that I’ve made to have the process opened for public participation, especially regarding the amendments to the Tariff. I have appealed to the people to have been accepted as interveners to, at the least, present my concerns and demand answers.
- Below is a photo that someone took at an industry conference, showing how customers, end users of ‘smart’ technology as “puppets on a string”. This is how industry sees us.
- The future is in Stratford, Ontario, having arrived quietly and perhaps without any opportunity for public input about the health and safety of residents. Did the residents know?
“Stratford, a city of about 31,000 people 150 kilometres southwest of Toronto, has been quietly building a connected city over the past decade. And today, it has roads that talk to street lights, signals that talk to cars and an industrially reliable wireless network that allows all those systems to feed data back to the tech companies operating there….
“The fact that the folks that are setting the vision for Stratford are so open to embracing these new technologies [is absolutely critical],” says Kuhn, who is BlackBerry’s senior vice-president for the internet of things, the catch-all term being used to describe the interconnectivity of the machines, appliances and infrastructure that we use in our daily lives.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/driverless-cars-stratford-1.3390279
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Letters:
Excellent letter by an electrician in Kamloops about fires: http://www.newskamloops.com/blog/post/meter-installations-a-fire-risk-electrician-says
—————–
From: Jerry Flynn
Sent: January-06-16
To: Jane.Philpott@parl.gc.ca; Navdeep.Bains@parl.gc.ca; Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca; frank@c4st.org; premier@gov.bc.ca; premier@gov.ab.ca; premier@gov.sk.ca; PREMIER@leg.gov.mb.ca; premier@ontario.ca; premier@gnb.ca; PREMIER@novascotia.ca; premier@gov.pe.ca; premier@gov.nl.ca; premier@gov.yk.ca; premier@gov.nt.ca; elizabeth.may@greenparty.ca; HESA@parl.gc.ca; hedy.fry@parl.gc.ca; Murray.Rankin@parl.gc.ca; boh@toronto.ca
Cc: don.davies@parl.gc.ca; nathan.cullen@parl.gc.ca; health-Kellie.Leitch@parl.gc.ca; info@maisonsaine.ca; paul.heroux@mcgill.ca; Olle.Johansson@ki.se; dcarpenter@albany.edu; jmm@berkeley.edu; drmagdahavas@gmail.com; dmaisch@emfacts.com; ronpowell@verizon.net; tom.kosatsky@bccdc.ca; info@microwavenews.com; imacleod@ottawacitizen.com; kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca; cmajweb@cmaj.ca; ubcic@ubcic.bc.ca; info@iemfa.org; alasdair@powerwatch.org.uk; sissel@softworks.no; Lloyd.l.morgan@gmail.com; international@priartem.fr; camilla@electromagnetichealth.org; bonnie.henry@gov.bc.ca; john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca; mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca
Subject: The Biggest Threat to the Human Race – Today’s Ubiquitous Microwave Radiation!
Microwave radiation is emitted by baby monitors, cell phones, cell phone towers, cordless phones, Wi-Fi routers, Wi-Fi and Wi-MAX zones, laptop and tablet computers, Bluetooth, GPS, etc. The same is true for wireless Smart Meters and the emerging family of new ‘Smart’ appliances. Contrary to what Health Canada and B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer tell us, non-industry scientists from every major country of the world have known for decades that any/all microwave radiation, is harmful – not just to people, to all forms of life!
Today, thanks to Luddite and dangerously co-opted, revenue-starved governments everywhere, obscenely-profitable and ever-more powerful wireless and telecom companies, joined recently by electric power utilities, are working feverishly to convert all that is hard-wired to wireless and, in the case of the wireless industry, to introduce new, extremely profitable wireless products everywhere possible! With no meaningful government oversight and Industry’s focus being strictly on profit, today’s already ubiquitous microwave radiation poses, arguably, the gravest single threat to mankind and all life on earth!
Please read the attached in which I have attempted to tell the unvarnished truth, as I understand it. Thank you.
Sincerely,
James G. (“Jerry”) Flynn, Captain (Retired)
attachment [see above]
Full letter from Jerry Flynn 2016-01-06
———————————-
From: Dennis and Sharon Noble [mailto:dsnoble@shaw.ca]
Sent: January 7, 2016 3:38 PM
Subject: FW: BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application
As those copied above are interveners and individuals with concerns about BC Hydro’s application, I am sharing a letter I’ve submitted to the BCUC. There are issues that need to be addressed regarding the revisions to the Tariff, many of which seem to be outside the scope of the current application. In addition, there are issues surrounding this application process which I believe warrant review:
- A 4000 page application with little notice available to the public for review. Certainly a summary with significant points identified should be required. An application of this length, with a short timeframe, appears to be designed to deliberately discourage public participation.
- If there was public notification of the application, it was not readily accessible. Why isn’t BC Hydro required to include notice of applications in clients’ bills? It was only by accident that I learned of this application only one week prior to the last date for registration as an intervener.
- Many who have questions about the meter choice program that were never answered or which have arisen since the implementation of the program were refused intervener status on the basis that there was nothing in the application pertaining to the smart meter or meter choice program. Clearly this is not true. The $700 re-connection fee would pertain primarily to those in this program. Despite the requirement that no fee or rate should be discriminatory, there is no question that this fee is indeed discriminatory and even punitive. Those who asked to intervene and were rejected should be allowed to participate in this review.
- The Tariff Amendments filed on Dec. 21, 2015 appear, in some instances, to have nothing to do with Rate Design, and it seems that these should be considered as a separate application, with sufficient notice and time to allow for complete review and debate. The public deserves input on such meaningful changes to this unilateral contract which they must accept as a condition for receiving an essential service – electricity.
- It appears from the schedule that there is to be no public hearing which would give the public and interested persons an opportunity to participate. Considering the magnitude of the changes being requested by BC Hydro this seems unusual.
I am lodging an official request for an extension of the deadline for review and for reconsideration of my status of intervener and that of others who have expressed concerns about BC Hydro’s application.
I hope that those who have been accepted as interveners will support my request, and ask that, at the minimum, they include my comments and concerns as outlined in my email dated Dec. 27 in their comments.
Regards,
Sharon Noble
———–
From: Dennis and Sharon Noble [mailto:dsnoble@shaw.ca]
Sent: January 6, 2016 11:11 PM
To: ‘Commission Secretary BCUC:EX’ <Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com>
Subject: RE: BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application
Dear Ms. Hamilton,
I do not know the procedures, but I believe my questions and concerns included in my letter below (Dec. 27) warrant a reconsideration of my request for intervener status.
- The Tariff Amendments were not included in the initial application.
- The statement that explained my rejection, that the meter choice program was not included in the rate redesign application proved not to be accurate. In fact, there are several issues that pertain to the meter choice and smart meter program, including the definition of the opt out meter and the new reconnection fee.
This Tariff amendment application is very significant. The public deserves time to review it and to respond. I ask that time be allowed, and consideration be given to accepting my request for reinstatement of my intervener status.
Thank you.
Regards,
Sharon Noble
——————————-
From: Commission Secretary BCUC:EX [mailto:Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com]
Sent: December 30, 2015 4:29 PM
To: ‘Dennis and Sharon Noble’ <dsnoble@shaw.ca>
Subject: RE: BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application
Dear Ms. Noble,
Thank you for your email dated December 27, 2015, regarding the BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application. In your email you state you are an intervener in the Commission’s review of this application; however, your intervener status was rescinded pursuant to Commission Order G-175-15, Directive 7. Although you are no longer an intervener in this process, you can still submit a letter of comment. Letters of comment must contain the commenter’s name, contact information and a statement of their position on the application. Letters of comment form part of the public record for the proceeding and are posted on the Commission’s website. Prior to posting your submission to the website, your contact information will be removed unless requested otherwise. A copy will be provided to the Commission Panel and all participants will be notified of your submission.
Regards,
Laura Sharpe
Manager, Information Services Group
British Columbia Utilities Commission
Phone: 604.660.4700 | Fax: 604.660.1102 | Toll Free: 1.800.663.1385
————
From: Dennis and Sharon Noble [mailto:dsnoble@shaw.ca]
Sent: Sunday, December 27, 2015 9:59 PM
To: Commission Secretary BCUC:EX
Subject: RE: BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application
Dear Ms. Hamilton,
As an intervener in BC Hydro’s application for Rate Design I have the following questions and comments:
11) 11.3 Minimum Reconnection Charges. I can find no justification for the introduction of the new category of fees pertaining to Manual re-connections because the customer failed to provide access to the meter. How does this service differ from the re-connection of service for those disconnected for other reasons?
Under sections 59(1 and 2) and 60(1) of the Utilities Commission Act it states that “a rate must not be unduly discriminatory”. I submit that if the Commission were to allow this fee structure that the essence of the “unduly discriminatory” portion of the Act would be breached. Further the Act states that “similarly situated customers must be treated similarly.” A newly scheduled fee that is 2.5 times higher than the closest one, and 23.33 times higher than the second fee is obviously punitive toward those to whom it is directed.
The Meter Choice program is not being considered as part of this redesign, yet this fee is directed exclusively toward those in the Meter Choice Program. I ask that the consideration of this new fee be reserved for consideration when the Meter Choice program is reviewed in its entirety.
These increased fees appear to be justified solely as a means of reducing BC Hydro’s budgetary deficiencies and bear no relationship to the actual work involved.
With regard to BC Hydro’s application for review of the Electrical Tariff, I have the following questions and comments:
1 Definitions (1.5) Radio-Off Meter. “The Smart Meter adjusted so that the meter’s components that transmit data by radio are deactivated.”
Clarification is required to include the ability of the meter’s components to receive data by radio. Customers who are paying the “opt out” fee have been assured that all wireless functions will be deactivated, and this includes any and all reception and transmission of microwave radio signals.
Including both transmission and reception of data is consistent
Smart Meter – An Electricity meter that:
1. Meets the requirements set out in section 2 of the Smart Meters and Smart Grid Regulation, B.C. Reg. 368/2010, and
2. Has components that transmit and / or receive data by radio and those components are activated
2 9.5 Liability of BC Hydro: The current provision reads:
“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.”
As a customer of BC Hydro I would like an explanation regarding the exclusion of all liability regardless even if BC Hydro or its employees cause the damage, whether by accident, negligence or through deliberate act. I know of no other business or corporation that would be allowed to include such a waiver in a contract. Would this stand up in court? I doubt it.
3 Service Agreement 2.1 As it currently reads says:
“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.”
BC Hydro is applying to remove this statement entirely.
This is the crux of the unilateral contract between BC Hydro and its customers. BC Hydro is held to account and limited by this Service Agreement, and only this Agreement. If this statement’s removal is allowed to stand there is no limit to BC Hydro’s power or actions.
Likewise, this being a contract between the 2 parties, if one party is not held to it, then the second party is released from commitments as well. A unilateral contract without joint commitments cannot be binding except by a monopoly that determines, perhaps arbitrarily, how and when to provide service and at what cost. To any logical person it appears that the purpose of this Tariff is to ensure that all customers of BC Hydro are treated fairly, equitably, safely, and in a manner that is consistent and reliable.
This “contract” is written by and for the benefit and protection of BC Hydro, and is amended at BC Hydro’s request. This statement, that BC Hydro must abide by the Electric Tariff, is the most important one for the protection of the customer. Without this limitation, BC Hydro will be able to act without constraint by the law, and without BC Utilities Commission oversight. The customer will be entirely at the mercy, and whim, of BC Hydro.
Sincerely,
Sharon Noble
———————–.
From: BC Hydro Regulatory Group [mailto:bchydroregulatorygroup@bchydro.com]
Sent: December 21, 2015 3:37 PM
To: Subject: BC Hydro 2015 Rate Design Application
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
Please note that this link will expire within seven days.
Date Filed: December 21, 2015
Hard copies only available upon request.
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.
This email and its attachments is intended solely for the personal use of the individual or entity named above. Any use of this communication by an unintended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, any publication, use, reproduction, disclosure or dissemination of its contents is strictly prohibited. Please immediately delete this message and its attachments from your computer and servers. We would also appreciate if you would contact us by a collect call or return email to notify us of this error. Thank you for your co-operation.
Regulatory Compliance & Filings
BC Hydro
bchydroregulatorygroup@bchydro.com
Smart about power in all we do.
****************
Newsletter prepared by Sharon Noble
“An activist is someone who cannot help but fight for something. That person is not usually motivated by a need for power, or money, or fame, but in fact driven slightly mad by some injustice, some cruelty, some unfairness – So much so that he or she is compelled by some moral engine to act to make it better.”- Eve Ensler