1) More cybersecurity attacks:
“The findings reveal that the Islamic Republic of Iran could potentially have the ability to attack America internally, using the highly-detailed, sensitive information some Iranians have potentially been able to gather on the U.S. power grid as a result of these hacks….
The AP also found that smart meters, which are used in about 45 percent of U.S. homes to measure electricity usage for conservation purposes, are also prone to hacks as a consequence of their flimsy security. In addition, the decision to hook power plants up to the Internet over the last decade has given hackers new points of access.
Despite continuous efforts by Homeland Security and other cybersecurity entities to curtail this growing and imminent threat, America’s cybersecurity is not quite where it needs to be.
In a speech earlier this year, Deputy Energy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood Randall reportedly revealed that if America doesn’t “protect the energy sector, we are putting every other sector of the economy in peril.””
- The cyberattack that caused massive power outage in Ukraine was highly coordinated, and could easily happen here.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/ukraine-cyberattack-1.3398492
- An article from 2011 that explains a lot of the basics very well. Of course the percentages of people/children using wireless devices and the time they are using them will have increased.
http://acelebrationofwomen.org/2011/07/vicki-warren-emf-the-silent-enemy-worse-than-cigarettes-2/
- Interview with a Finnish educator who once promoted wireless technology in school has become aware of dangers of these devices, especially for children.
- “New” technology being developed in Australia that creates electricity through the action of ocean water. Other devices have been written about for years, but I haven’t heard any success stories yet. Something like this could replace dangerous wind machines as well as make Site C even more unnecessary than it already is.
- The frequency of brain tumors is increasing, especially in children, but, oddly, the Canadian medical system is not tracking these cancers. So when the Cancer Society says that there is no increase in cancers, they are being disingenuous – they don’t know because if they don’t ask, they won’t find, and no one seems to be asking.
Brain tumours are the leading cause of solid cancer death in children under the age of 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They are the third leading cause of solid cancer death in young adults ages 20-39.
– See more at: http://www.braintumour.ca/2494/brain-tumour-facts#sthash.Tha6kLw5.dpuf
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Letters:
From: X
Sent: January 10, 2016 1:55 PM
To: constance.smith@bcuc.com
Subject: BC Hydro – 2015 Rate Design Application – Letter of Comment re Sharon Noble // Log No. 51126 ; Exhibit A-9 and NERC
Constance Smith
Senior Administrator
BC Utilities Commission
Box 250, 900 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3
Fax: 604-660-1102
Attention: Ms. Erica Hamilton, Secretary to the Commission
Date: Jan 13 2016
Dear Ms. Hamilton,
Re: BC Hydro – 2015 Rate Design Application – Letter of Comment re Sharon Noble // Log No. 51126 ; Exhibit A-9 and NERC.
It has come to my attention that Sharon Noble’s intervener status has been rescinded by the Commission’s office. I believe it’s wrong for you to deny any rate payer this right.
Especially as Sharon Noble represents the serious concerns of tens of thousands of British Columbians like myself and that her input is thus even more important than the average BC citizen.
Please reinstate her as an intervener so all our voices can be heard through her willingness to do this work.
Another matter that is quite concerning is the following.
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.”
This is just wrong. No one should be able to exempt themselves from their negligent acts.. forcing others to have to prove willful misconduct. Against individuals who quite often won’t even properly identify themselves.
I am also objecting to BC Hydro applying to remove the following statement entirely.
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.”
If this statement’s removal is allowed to stand there is no limit to BC Hydro’s power or actions.
This seems like a back door route to undermining British Columbians control of their own Crown Corporation. I object to any resolutions that would further remove our control of this public resource.
On another matter I’ve heard that B.C. Hydro has quietly given over control of the direction of some, or all of its operations to a private American corporation called NERC. Which I believe stands for North American Regulatory Commission, or something like that.
This is very worrisome as Ontario Hydro ( the only other Canadian Province to do this,) is now being privatized.
What can you tell me about NERC’s agreement with B.C. Hydro and what if any was B.C.U.C.’s role in this matter?
It appears if the people of B.C. don’t do what this private American corporation dictates, we could be on the hook for millions in fines.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
X
——————-
To: Constance Smith
Senior Administrator
BC Utilities Commission
Box 250, 900 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3
Fax: 604- 660 -1102
Email: constance.smith@bcuc.com
Attention: Ms. Erica Hamilton, Secretary to the Commission
January 10, 2016
Dear Ms. Hamilton,
I am writing regarding the BC Hydro’s 2015 Rate Design Application and the rescinding of the status of Sharon Noble as a registered intervener in the Application (Log No. 51126, Exhibit A-9).
As a BC Hydro ratepayer and a citizen of BC, I strongly object to the Commission’s move to rescind Ms. Noble’s status as an intervener. The Commission’s reason for rescinding is apparently that the Rate Design Application has nothing to do with BC Hydro’s Meter Choices program. Yet many of Ms. Noble’s concerns are general in nature and apply to all BC Hydro ratepayers – for instance, the provision that BC Hydro cannot be held responsible for damage by itself or its agents even if done deliberately. For this concern alone, Ms. Noble should be reinstated.
Another concern of Ms. Noble (and thousands of others) is the proposed $700 re-connection fee for premises where the “meter is obstructed.” Again, nowhere in the Application is there any connection made between this outrageous fee and BC Hydro’s Meter Choices program. Nor is such a fee included in any of BC Hydro’s directives to the Commission, such as Directive #4 issued in December 2013. This is a general concern regarding blatant discrimination, since fees for re-connection in other circumstances are much lower.
The fact that the Commission recognized that this exorbitant fee is designed especially to harass BC Hydro ratepayers who wish to exercise their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms not to have a smart meter forced on them proves that this fee is punitive and intimidating in nature. As such, it violates the Commission’s mandate to see that all customers are treated fairly and equally. There is nothing on God’s green earth that justifies this proposed $700 fee or that can reconcile it to actual costs.
Ms. Noble is extremely well informed regarding many of BC Hydro’s undemocratic and arbitrary moves in the past few years, and speaks for thousands of concerned ratepayers. Is the reason for excluding her as an intervener so that there will be no well-informed and official opposition to the one-sided contracts, blatant discrimination and unconscionable fees proposed in this Application? As deplorable as this conclusion is, it certainly looks that way. I urge the Commission to remember its mandate to protect BC Hydro ratepayers from injustices such as these, and to be absolutely fair in its decisions regarding who is eligible to register as an intervener.
I formally request that you reinstate Ms. Noble as an intervener so that she can speak for me and many other BC Hydro ratepayers with similar concerns regarding this deeply flawed Application.
Respectfully,
XX
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Newsletter prepared by Sharon Noble
“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ~ George Orwell