Resistance to Smart Meters Gets Attention at PSC
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 21, 2011
By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. During a recent national meeting of conservatives, about half of them said a smart meter had been installed on their home or business. That’s cause for alarm, since research has confirmed what consumers repeatedly report – ill effects of smart meters on their health. Despite anecdotal reports and basic research, medical and scientific facts have not hindered the installation of smart meters. In fact, consumers are threatened with having their electricity turned off, if they refuse to allow a smart meter to be installed.
If that’s happened to you, you’ll be happy to know that Georgia’s newest Public Service Commissioner, Tim Echols, is investigating the situation and publicly stated in the September 29th PSC meeting that no one’s electricity will be cut off for rejecting a smart meter. That’s especially good news to Georgia Power customers who refuse to accept a smart meter, only to have their wishes ignored and a meter installed later, often when they’re not at home.
If you don’t have a smart meter, it’s coming soon. So, remember this. Smart meters are not simply up-graded analog meters that are read once a month. They are two-way radio frequency communication devices that emit radiation, 24/7. By not talking about the medical hazards of smart meters, utility companies are ignoring an extremely hazardous “big elephant in the room.”
On January 1st this year, a prominent group of environmental consultants in California reported that safety standards for radio frequency peak time exposure have not been developed to determine how they affect the eyes, testes and other ball-shaped organs in the human body. Meaning, no peak power limits have been defined for some of the human body’s extremely vital parts.
Please thank Commissioner Tim Echols for investigating smart meters and encourage him to keep pushing for an opt-out for those who want to get rid of smart meters, as well as consumers who don’t have one, yet. Commissioner Echols’ office number is 404 656-2341*. The PSC number is 404 656-4501*. Ask the other PSC commissioners to agree to a consumer opt-out of the smart meter program. Then ask them to explain how many adverse effects consumers must endure before the PSC and utility companies take a really serious look at what they’ve foisted upon the citizens of Georgia.
The Federal Energy Act required a study to be done in Georgia BEFORE a decision was made to change from analog to smart meters. That study was not done! If it had been done, the many adverse affects of smart meters would have been found and a harmless meter could have been used, instead of the radio frequency radiation emitting smart meter the utilities chose. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.