Throughout the United States local utility companies are switching over to what are called “smart meters.” Utility companies state that these meters help their customers save money and energy. But this is not the case. Not only has it been shown that these meters are increasing customer’s utility bills but people are becoming increasingly concerned about the health implications of a wireless meter attached to their home.
Although the utility companies and mainstream media sources may tell you that these meters are benign to one’s health, additional information suggests otherwise. Recently the World Health Organization classified non-ionizing radiation as a class 2-B carcinogen – among the same ranks as lead, DDT, and car exhaust.
Another study found that smart meters might be in violation of the Federal Communications Commission safety limits. The study, carried out by consulting firm Sage and Associates, found that smart meter’s radiofrequency radiation levels throughout homes and businessesare comparable to living within 200 – 600 feet of a major cell phone tower.
Protect your health. Insist on “Opting Out” to keep your analog meter. In California, well-organized protests by consumers have led to a California Public Utilities Commission decision to give PG&E customers the option to keep their old meters — for a fee. Although the opt-out is individual and requires a fee, many residents are paying the fee and opting out of “SmartMeter” installation in their homes. Concerned citizens were pleased to have this option, but many have also voiced concerns about the unexplained fees. This led to calls for comprehensive hearings on those costs and the proposal of a “community-wide” opt-out option.
“PG&E Customers Can Opt Out of SmartMeters – for $75, Plus $10 a Month”,
Dana Hull, Marin Independent Journal, February 1, 2012
http://www.marinij.com/business/ci_19871058?source=pkg
“Assessment of Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Emissions from Smart Meters,” Sage Associates, Sage Report Smart Meter RF. Sage Associates, January 1, 2011. http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf
“How YOU Can Stop ‘Smart’ Meters,” Stop Smart Meters! Stop Smart Meters, 2011. http://stopsmartmeters.org/how-you-can-stop-smart-meters
“Dr. Johansson’s Letter Re: SmartGrid / Smart Meter Dangers to CPUC,” Johansson, Olle, Scribd., July 9, 2011. http://www.scribd.com/doc/59738917/Dr-Johansson-s-letter-re-SmartGrid-Smart-Meter-dangers-to-CPUC-7-9-2011
“CPUC Caves in on PG&E’s SmartMeter ‘Opt-Out’ Charges”, Katharina Sandizell, Marin Independent Journal, February 12, 2012, http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_19944304
Student Researcher: Andy Babkes, San Francisco State University
Faculty Evaluator: Kenn Burrows, San Francisco State University