1) 
Today an installer came, unannounced, to a home on Salt Spring and told the homeowner he had a work order to install a smeter. She objected and said that she was currently in discussion with BC Hydro about concerns about fires, etc. She noticed that there were legacy meters (digitals) in the back of his truck but they left before she could ask them to install one of those. She confirmed with BC Hydro that these legacy meters are not expired ones but said that “they are all spoken for”. What?? What a bunch of junk. According to the Meter Choices promise, BC Hydro would replace expired legacy meters with other legacy meters SO LONG AS THERE WERE ANY AVAILABLE.
People have fought to have one after being bullied, intimidated and lied to when they were told no legacy meters were available. People have had their power cut because they wanted a legacy meter. The BCUC needs to step up and force BC Hydro to amend its ways and to provide all of these people with the digital meters they should have been given – even if they have to go out and buy more.
BE WARNED that on Salt Spring, workers are coming to homes unannounced 7 days a week and from before 8 am in the morning. I assume the efforts will be sustained as the end of the year nears. We must demand our rights – obviously BC Hydro continues to lie at every chance. Please write to:
Laurel Ross <commission.secretary@bcuc.com>
2) A member of the Stop Smart Meters in Australia group has generously shared his powerpoint slides from a recent presentation. The state of affairs in Australia is similar to that in Canada and BC where the agencies are cherry picking studies, ignoring independent science, and misleading the public while failing to do their jobs.
“a presentation by Steve Weller, B.Sc., on the Current state of play – SSMA and science update. This covered Stop Smart Meters Australia’s interactions with state and federal government departments in relation to smart meter deployments. Steve also talked about his role as the SSMA community representative on the Electromagnetic Energy Reference Group (EMERG); this committee was established by ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) to enable input on public health issues related to the use of radiofrequency spectrum for communications.”
https://stopsmartmetersau.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/ssma-presentation-20th-nov1.pdf
3) Dr. Magda Havas has written a report that is waiting for acceptance by Elsevier in which she expounds upon the reasons for the weak guidelines that do not apply to non-ionizing radiation emitted by wireless devices or agencies acknowledging the science that shows that wireless radiation causes cancer.
Highlights
This paper presents a highly probable mechanism that involves an increase in free-radicals, which–in turn–explains the increased risk of cancers documented in epidemiological studies that are associated with environmental exposure to RFR and ELF EMFs at levels well below international guidelines.
- There is sufficient scientific evidence of cellular damage caused by non-ionizing radiation (NIR) well below thermal guidelines.
- Applying the ionization model to NIR is inappropriate as mechanisms of biological interactions differ.
- Free radicals can and do cause cancer and NIR can and does increase free-radicals.
4) Some maps have been found that show the concentration of Telus’s microcells in 3 areas: Victoria, Vancouver and Sunshine Coast. As more become available, I will let you know. You can see them at:
http://emrabc.ca/?page_id=7536
5) Urgent. Please see below information sent in by a member in Toronto where the City Council will debate putting a moratorium on new cell towers on public housing. Please lend support by submitting your comments ASAP as the Executive Committee meets Thurs. Dec.01. Remember, what happens in Toronto could affect what happens here.
6) Below “Letters” are some more great tips for going off the grid.
Letters:
From: X
Sent: November 27, 2016
To: obcouncil@oakbay.ca; rwatts@timescolonist.com
Subject: Growler Jets
I’m sorry that Oak Bay residents are experiencing high noise levels from Growler jets. I’m wondering if you are aware of the US Navy’s plan to increase Growler traffic in the Straits of Juan de Fuca as they participate in electro-magnetic war games? The actions of the US Navy will be much more sinister than previously because residents of Southern Vancouver Island will unknowingly be bombarded with electro-magnetic radiation. This will have disastrous effects on anything with biological tissue ie. humans, animals, and all wildlife. Noise levels are one thing. Being irradiated is quite another.
http://www.thrivemovement.com/help-stop-electromagnetic-warfare-olympic-national-park
_______________________________________________________________________
[please also distribute this]
On Dec 1st, the City of Toronto Executive Committee will debate placing a moratorium on the installation of any new telecommunications towers on Toronto Community Housing buildings. Show your support by voicing your concerns to the Toronto City Council by following the link and clicking at the top right of the page “Submit Comments”:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2016.EX20.42
-Barb Payne
———-
p.s. Please use the above link to access details and to use the City’s “Submit Comments” button.
Also available via:
https://www.facebook.com/C4ST.ORG/posts/1152759731474741
&
https://twitter.com/_C4ST/status/803758018424926208
&
https://twitter.com/_C4ST/status/803696583963504641
_______________________________________________________________________
TIPS for going off grid
From a member:
Going off the grid in any fashion can be daunting and intimidating if you are unfamiliar with it, or, even if you are! Solar photovoltaic (pv) systems are changing by the month, but there is a back-to-basics way to go that is still in fashion!
Larger full-house systems are very high-tech and costly… so let’s keep it simple and affordable:
Start Here:
I just found these guys in Victoria— good place to start:
HESpv, 320 Mary St., Victoria, BC, V9A 3V9 (250.483.0871)
(For a comparison later on, also look through Energy Alternatives in Victoria: http://www.energyalternatives.ca)
HESpv:
****First, open their Off Grid page here: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-off-grid-canada
Then, on their page linked above, on the right, click on their 12-volt Solar Cabin (See Cabin System) page and neat diagram —
Look over that diagram carefully. It lays out the very basic system which I have used for decades as a base-point for many small homes and cabins.
Using that basic system as your starting point, you can then decide what components would serve you best according to your budget and power needs – and your amount of southern exposure and direct sunlight hours.
If you can afford it, I would at least purchase this:
1) Four 250w or 260w solar panel modules — Like these: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-off-grid-canada/off-grid-solar-panels/hes260-60p-mc (Shop around and compare— but avoid cheap knock-offs) Prices may vary and I would call to find out. Our dollar is down to $.74 CAD/USD so imports may be higher now unless they have lots of old stock. You can expect to pay around $400 per panel at the 260w level.
2) Where to mount them can be tricky— to keep it simple I would go with the ground stand as they have in their diagram— big enough to add more panels too. Maybe like this one here: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-off-grid-canada/mounts/tpm4 OR make your own stand if you can manage it. I have seen working systems simply leaning up on simple 2×4 frames — but I think you need to be off the wet ground… Ask about that with others – I have always done the simple aluminum roof brackets attached on a metal roof— fairly easy to install.
3) Four 6-volt deep cycle batteries (like their s-480’s or 550’s) (Those numbers represent amp hour ratings. Higher # means lasts longer on a charge/discharge).
Batteries: I do not use gel. Call these guys, or some other company and ask them about batteries for your situation.
Look over their battery options. Notice they are mostly 6-volt— This is the way to go— better for holding power, building a bank and handling discharges over time: http://hespv.ca/all-brands/rolls-surrette
I have never dealt with this Rolls brand but it is the kind of battery I would I recommend for a small system: The s-550 or s-480 (These are very heavy (nearly 100 lbs each) will cost close to $300 to $400 each— but I don’t know what these guys are charging -no pun intended). …. A little more on batteries under Inverters.
4) Charge controller – Buy a basic kind, nothing too fancy— {These are adjustable and control the amount of solar DC power streaming into the batteries— Opens fully up on cloudy winter days and allows all the current into the batteries, but especially important on long sunny season days so you don’t overcharge the batteries}. The one these guys suggest would be fine: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-off-grid-canada/charge-controllers/morningstar-tristar-ts-45
5) Inverters: These are if you want to convert all that stored CD battery power into AC that will be wired to AC appliances. Think this one out carefully— It is super easy to overload an inverter, especially if you are unfamiliar with off grid living and start hooking up the inverter’s AC house wires to all your usual appliances— it does not work that way! You need to be very selective as to what this powers, or can power. Also, there is some degree of dirty electricity from these type of inverters, but it has not deterred me for using an inverter.
More on inverters: Do not get an OutBack. Get something basic like these: (middle one) http://www.wegosolar.com/categories.php?category=Off-Grid-Inverters/KISAE (That HESpv site also has them I see: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-rv/inverters/ki-sw2012-55)
6) No inverter and more on batteries:
DC alone: You could use just the DC 12-volt battery power like an RV and get all DC appliances and lights. I have done this many times— amazing how much DC stuff is out there. Then use a generator for occasional AC uses like a vacuum cleaner, table saw…
Plus you will need a generator and a battery charger for topping off (equalizing/float/balancing) battery bank once a month or for sure on dark winter days. Read down this pdf page to learn the hows & whys of deep cycle battery care: http://www.energyalternatives.ca/PDF/Battery%20Charging%20Guide%20-%206%20Volt.pdf
If you go the DC route, use only simple – close-to-the-area-of-use-direct lighting in your home with smaller bulbs— turn off lights as you leave a room etc…
… On these basic solar systems you must learn to be super-aware of what power you are drawing off the batteries 24/7. Have a battery voltage level metre mounted on the wall inside the house and watch it daily – and learn what is a normal healthy level for your system — ask the company or the installer if you don’t install it yourself.
Generator-charge the batteries if levels drop below 60% (can be decided by a direct specific gravity test with hydrometer inside of each and every battery cell, or by voltage levels listed on the inverter or remote meter.) Read that pdf on the battery care link above for details, and, read the battery care & safety instructions further down the pages!
— Get a good heavy duty battery charger— not some trickle kind.
Disclosure – I have zero affiliation with any of the above linked companies, I only located them today because I simply thought they represented what I wanted to say in addressing small solar systems.
That said, I would be curious to see the cost of that HESpv company’s ‘kit’ they offer for small but ‘advanced’ solar systems linked here: http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/solar-off-grid-canada/off-grid-solar-systems/advanced-home-energy-solution-750 Write them and get a ballpark figure including the batteries; with and without installation costs. These systems are not all that difficult to install with some basic building skills, tools and an ability to follow written instructions.
Sharon Noble
Director, Coalition to Stop Smart Meters
A: Free radicals damage DNA
B: Non-ionizing radiation creates free radicals.
C: Therefore, non-ionizing radiation can damage DNA
DAMAGED DNA CAN LEAD TO CANCER.
Sent from my hard wired laptop, that is faster, more efficient and more secure than a wifi enabled one – and it doesn’t irradiate anyone.