1) People living on the islands have no choice but to ride BC Ferries when they want to drive to the mainland. Many people have chosen to live on the islands where they are subjected to lower levels of RF radiation than in large cities, where many have become sensitive. Over the last while, BC Ferries have installed wireless modems so that travellers can text and send emails rather than enjoy the beautiful scenery, resulting in people with EHS enduring hours of discomfort.
BC Ferries admits in their letter [see below] that they have not tested the levels of exposure in this enclosure. They profess to be concerned about safety and that the levels of radiation are below the horrendously outdated Safety Code 6. How do they know if they haven’t done any tests?
2) Is the Tech Industry the New Big Tobacco? Lessons from Big Tobacco can shed light on industries like Ed Tech
http://drdunckley.com/2016/10/01/tech-industry-new-big-tobacco/
3) We’ve heard of people who have “somehow” found themselves unable to control the heat in their homes or when other appliances can be used. The term often used is “Demand Response”. But, like “smart meter”, this term is now understood for what it is, and so the industry is changing it to “power of permission”. People have been offered incentives (aka bribes) to agree to allow the utility to have control over power usage, perhaps without understanding what they really are signing. This industry article explains the process and how sometimes words don’t mean what they seem.
“Bring You[r] Own Thermostat (BYOT) DR programs provide an opportunity for utilities interested in engaging their customers in new demand response programs. By removing the barriers that can make DR programs potentially confusing or inconvenient for customers, and making the “opt in” action as simple as possible, electric utilities can now boost participation rates and maximize demand reductions. That’s the power of permission.
BYOT programs that capitalize on the power of permission and leverage the ongoing market growth, change the conversation with customers. Enrollment messaging no longer needs to use confusing terms like “Demand Response” and “Peak Load Curtailment.” Instead, utilities now simply invite customers to learn more about their programs and the important role customers can play in helping to keep the grid operating smoothly.
http://www.energycentral.com/c/iu/power-permission-accelerating-demand-response-programs
4) It is reported that a virus (from Russia?) disabled Lansing, Michigan’s water and power company a few months ago, and it is being asked if ransom had been paid. Additional money is being spent to prevent future attacks.
“Responding to the April ransomware attack that crippled the Board of Water & Light’s ability to communicate internally and with its customers cost the city-owned utility around $2 million for technical support and equipment to upgrade their security, according to financial records.”
5) 5G is coming, and it is coming very soon. Companies obviously had the plans in the works before the USA FCC’s head Tom Wheeler announced it a few weeks ago. Because the signals cannot travel very far (at the higher frequencies), they will be needing to install cell transmitters at an average of 1 for every 12 homes. In some areas this could mean erecting more poles. It is imperative that people get their local Councils to implement Transmitter Siting Consultation policies in order to have some say over where these are put. This is very disturbing. How will they use the smeters on our homes? The microcells outside our bedrooms?
“Second, 5G is going to look more like Super Wi-Fi than a traditional mobile cellular network. At these high-spectrum bands, a vast density of small cells will be required — somewhere around one small cell per 12 homes in relatively dense areas, according to an excellent recent report from the folks at New Street Research…
What is most interesting is that the public sector is taking a far more active role in the evolution of wireless than it historically has. Dare I say “industrial policy”? The FCC has committed to making the “real estate” available for 5G. The technology for commercial wireless at high-spectrum bands is within our sights, but there are years of development work to do. The framework for public-private and intra/inter-industry investment and cooperation is there.”
Here is a powerpoint prepared by a group in Montgomery County, Maryland educating the Councillors about these transmitters. The slides are on the left hand side, just click on the top one and move down. For example, Slide 4 says towers 25-33 ft. high can be put on public or private property, and once up can be added to. We need to get ahead of this, educate your neighbours and your Councillors. Get a Consultation Policy that addresses this.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AIuFrpBNIKrkAXFNwGO-b5r2ZL_RM-y2VHGCAmHEE5s/edit#slide=id.p
Letters:
Received this FOI from BCFerries
BCFerries is adamant the radiation on the ships does not exceed SC6 (according to IC if it reaches half way signs should be posted at antenna installation presumably here too). Seems to me a bit of a trick for them to know it does not exceed SC6 when they have not tested it.
Do as you wish with the letter.
—
Norm Ryder