Smart Meters and You
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, February 21, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. Last month, the Public Service Commission voted 5 to 0 to approve an opt-out of smart meters for Georgia Power customers who prefer analog meters.
In case you don’t know, smart meters are not simple up-graded analog meters. They are two-way radio frequency communication devices that emit radiation, 24/7 and measure, store and report electric use remotely, 24/7. The more often they’re read, the more radio frequency radiation is emitted. If they’re read every 15 minutes, an electric pulse radiates through your home, business or wherever it’s installed 96 times in a 24-hour period, 24/7.
Georgia utility companies began installing smart meters in 2008 with “no clear authority” from the Public Service Commission and without consumer consent. Every time consumer consent was by-passed, Georgia Power violated the U.S. Energy Act of 2005 requiring electric utilities to “provide each customer requesting a time-based rate with a time-based meter ….” I have never met anyone who requested time-based billing, but smart meters were installed, anyway. For unhappy consumers, some utilities proposed a powered-down smart meter that, also, emits radio frequency radiation and can send high-frequency spikes and electrical “noise” throughout home wiring. Ear noises caused by smart meters may be high-pitched constant shrills or sounds similar to the noise of cicadas. Cancer has been reported from smart meters and medical issues facing children include altered brain development, impaired learning and behavior problems. A federal radio frequency working group says, “Existing safety limits for pulsed RF are ‘not protective of public health.’”
With this opportunity to have smart meters removed, consumers must beware that a dangerous powered-down or stealth smart meter might be installed in its place. At georgiainsight.org you may view pictures of four stealth smart meters their labels and IDs on page three of the February 1st issue of Georgia Insight.
To get your meter replaced, call Georgia Power at 1 800 642-5172*, but remember, they want to charge $19 more each month extra to read a replacement meter, although they installed the smart meter against federal law; did not have permission from the PSC; did not ask consumer consent; and consumers did not ask for time-based billing. Smart meters are part of the smart grid that enables transfer of electricity from the United States to foreign countries, while denying electricity to U.S. consumers. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.