Sent: September 28, 2014 To: info.utilities@corix; smartmeters@bchydro; greg.reimer@bchydro; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; jessica.mcdonald@bchydro; rob@robwipond; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; editor@saanichnews Subject: Refusal to accept a smart meter at xxxxxx, Saanich, BC Via Electronic Mail and Canada Post to: BC Hydro, Smart Meter Specialist Department 6911 Southpoint Drive, Burnaby BC, V3N 4X8 Date: September 26, 2014 Attention: Jessica McDonald, CEO BC Hydro, jessica.mcdonald@bchydo and B.C. Hydro, Corix Utilities, and agents and/or assignees thereof: smartmeters@bchydro and info.utilities@corix Dear Sirs / Mesdames: At approximately 12:15 pm on Friday, September 19, installers from BC Hydro showed up at my new apartment at xxxxxx. My landlord and my neighbour refused to allow them to install a “smart” meter at the residence as I was not at home. My landlord, in fact, again insisted that he should, as the owner of the property, have the CHOICE to keep the current ANALOG meter on his property. The installers insisted that we are not eligible to retain the ANALOG meter as this is an account change and I am not a BC Hydro “Choices” customer. This incident demonstrates the contempt BC Hydro continues to show those of us who pay the bills. I am informed that under the current B.C. Hydro Electric Tariff I am not eligible to keep the analog meter on my new residence because I was forced to take a smart meter at my old address. Again, the discrimination in this situation is obvious to any person of sense. The fact is that, as a resident of a townhouse complex, I had absolutely no option to keep my analog meter, and was forced to accept a smart meter because the management of the complex had no interest in assisting residents who might have wished to retain their analog meters. So now I am to be victimized a second time. This demonstrates that the current tariff is unjust, and violates one of the essential principles of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that is, Section 7, which guarantees the individual’s right to security of the person. BC Hydro and the government of British Columbia may not violate my right to security of the person by forcing me to accept a device, attached to my home, that world-recognized scientists assure me will endanger the physical or psychological health of me and my child. Despite the ridiculously short-sighted recent decision by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the fact remains that current research demonstrates the dangers of smart meters. The eminent Washington scientist Martin Pall has said that “smart” meters should be abolished “because they use short high-intensity pulses of microwave radiation.” The renowned American Academy of Environmental Medicine has honored Dr. Pall’s work with its highest award, and has likewise called for a moratorium on “smart” meters. Children are most at risk for the “massive cellular damage” that may result from this radiation. I, and my child, also deserve a choice—and I choose not to expose my twelve-year-old son to the EMF radiation produced by a “smart” meter. To quote retired Canadian electronic warfare and signals intelligence officer James G. Flynn, were Canada a true democracy, “readers would be able to read in their local newspapers articles/letters critical of wireless baby monitors, Smart Meters, Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, cordless phones, cell phone towers etc. They would then know that non industry-paid scientists and millions of informed people around the world know that all wireless devices are harmful to all living things, especially to embryos, pregnant women, young children, the sick and the elderly....[W]ed be able to read in our own newspapers that: In Russia, no one can live or work within a 2,000 meter radius of a cell phone tower, because it is considered a danger zone.” Yet here in Canada (and the US) these same towers are placed on the roofs of daycare centres, schools, hospitals, seniors homes, apartment buildings, office buildings, churches, etc.!” Health experts from more than 20 countries have warned about the health effects of “smart” meters, and now we know that these meters regularly cause fires. While the installers who came to my residence admitted that fires have taken place, they insisted that it was because “the Corix installers didn’t know what they were doing, and didn’t check the bases for cracks.” Ah, well, sorry, but I don’t accept that disingenuous explanation. Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, security of the person requires that I not be forced to accept a device on my home that I consider to be a fire hazard. The BC Safety Authority has documented a number of fires started by smart meters. Fire inspectors, and even BC Hydro employees (as the installer here noted), have observed smart meter failures that have either caused a fire or would have caused one if someone had not been present to prevent it. The design flaws in other brands of meters that have caused fires in other places exist in ITRON meters, and I refuse to allow Hydro to put my child’s life at risk. I will be making an appointment to discuss this matter with my MLA, Lana Popham. If you again attempt to install a “smart” meter, against my express consent, wishes, and in violation of my civil and human rights, I will make every attempt to ensure that BC Hydro’s unjust and discriminatory actions receive as much attention from media and government officials as I possibly can. As stated previously, I and my landlord are now party to the class action suit against BC Hydro. Sincerely,
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:27:12 +0000