REPORT A PROBLEM

"The Coalition to Stop Smart Meters is asking everyone who is experiencing any problems during the installation of a smart meter or after having a smart meter installed to contact them at: coordinator1@stopsmartmetersbc.ca

"The problems can be related to any issue such as:
- Intimidation, threats, bullying, harassment by Corix installers or BC Hydro
- Increased utility bills
- Damage to appliances, meters or property
- Interference with home or medical equipment
- Health. Health effects most often reported in other jurisdictions include, but are not limited to: Tinnitus or Ringing in the ears, Palpitations, Tachycardia, Arrhythmia, Headaches, Dizziness, and Sleep disturbance

"It is important that all problems be reported in detail, with date of installation of the smart meter, and the date when problems occurred, began or were first noticed. Such data could be useful for legal redress . . . 

BILL INCREASE
TELL YOUR STORY TO B.C. NEWSPAPERS

Citizens for Safe Technology Society, Una St. Clair and others
v. B.C. Hydro-and-Corix Utilities 
Case Number 9854

1. Parties 
2. Nature of Complaint 
3. The Class 
4. Class v. Group 
5. Identified Class members 
6. The Disability 
7. Remedy requested 
8. An effective means of addressing discrimination 
9. Interpretive principles 
10. WSC Conditions 
11. Class definition 
12. Common issues 
13. Success for one is success for all 
14. Is the proposed representative appropriate and adequate 
15. No conflict of interest 
16. Complaint is in the interests of the Class Authorization 
17. The right to opt out 
18. Prima facie determination of the propriety of the representative 
19. Complaint 
20. Alternative to dismissal 
21. Amendments to the Complaint

"...COPE 378 has concluded that the economic and operational justifications advanced by BC Hydro for the huge investment required to implement SMI ring hollow, and that any expenditures in excess of the bare minimum required in order to remain compliant with the Regulation should be disallowed by the Commission, as instances of throwing good money after bad. In fact, the entire undertaking has the appearance of a project in search of a rationale. With respect to any features or capabilities which are not shielded from regulatory oversight by the Clean Energy Act, we submit that Hydro bears the onus of proof that the net result is a prudent expenditure of ratepayer money and is in the public interest..."

OUR REPLY TO BC Utilities Commission/BC Hydro, Filed January 27, 2012
Re: Andrea Collins, the Citizens for Safe Technology Society and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority 

Complaint under Section 47 of the Utilities Commission Act.

• BC Hydro mischaracterizes the complaint 
• Legislative intent 
• Minister's omission to exercise authority under Order in Council 
• Wireless was canvassed by parties to Fortis CPCN Application 
• Is choice within BC Hydro's prerogative? 
• The legislation does not speak in terms of prohibitions and requirements 
• Further BC Hydro Misconstructions 
• Onus 
• Are the impugned systems exempt? 
• Is wireless necessary? 
• Relevance of other utilities' use of hard-wired systems 
• Meet functionality capabilities -- don't exceed them 
• Domestic Interface System 
• Limited scope of CPCN application 
• Risk of Broad interpretation of exemption 
• Statutory interpretation 
• Public interest concerns

"Please be advised that I am legal counsel for the Canadian office and Professional Employees' Union, local 378 (COPE 378). The Union wishes to comment with respect to this Complaint.

"Although the Clean Energy Act limits the jurisdiction of the Commission in some respects in relation to enumerated BC Hydro contracts and capital projects, the Commission's powers and responsibilities remain intact beyond the boundaries of those legislated intrusions.

"In the case of SMI, the limits imposed by the Act upon the Commission's jurisdiction are delimited by the terms of the Smart Meters and Smart Grid Regulation, B.C. Reg. 368/2010. BC Hydro does not require the Commission's approval in order to comply with the specifications set out in that Order in Council. However, if any aspect of the SMI program being implemented by BC Hydro deviates from the Regulation or extends beyond it - for example, by incorporating a feature or capability which is not specified in the Regulation - it requires regulatory approval in the normal course . . .

BCUC Complaint

Wi-Fi in Schools

Portland Oregon:   Morrison vs. Portland Public Schools

1 of 7:  Complaint for Declaratory, Injunctive of Other Relief
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Complaint-1-of-7,84,1113

2 of 7:  Plaintiff's Response
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-schools-Plaintiffs-Response-2-of-7,84,1114

3 of 7: Memorandum in Support of Preliminary Injunction Motion
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Memorandum-in-Support-of-Preliminary-Injunction-Motion-3-of-7,84,1115

4 of 7: Declaration of Curtis Bennett - Amended December 19, 2011
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Declaration-of-Curtis-Bennett-4-of-7,84,1116

5 of 7: Declaration of Dr. David O. Carpenter - Amended December 20, 2011
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Declaration-of-David-O-Carpenter-MD-5-of-7,84,1117

6 of 7: Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Amended December 22, 2011
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Declaration-of-Lloyd-Morgan-6-of-7,84,1118

7 of 7: Declaration of Barrie Trower - Amended December 21, 2011http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Declaration-of-Barrie-Trower-7-of-7,84,1119

Declaration of Dr. Magda Havas - Amended December 21, 2011
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-Dr-Magda-Havas,84,1774

Declaration of Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy
http://www.citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-Dr-Andrew-Goldsworthy,84,1775

Addendum A
Declaration of Barry Trower
http://www.citizensforsafetechnology.org/uploads/scribd/Trower%20-%20Addendum%20A.pdf

Addendum B
Declaration of Dr. Magda Havas - Boston Petition
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-Dr-Magda-Havas--Addendum-B,5,1778

Addendum C
Declaration of Dr. Magda Havas - International Appeals
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-Dr-Magda-Havas--Addendum-C,5,1779

Addendum D
Declaration of Dr. Magda Havas - Presentation
http://www.citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-Dr-Magda-Havas-Addendum-D,84,1772

Addendum E
Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Poster: Re-evaluation of the Interphone Study - Application of a Correction Factor
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-L-Lloyd-Morgan--Addendum-E,84,1768

Addendum F
Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Poster: Exposure Limits - The underestimation of absorbed cellphone radiation, especially in children
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-L-Lloyd-Morgan--Addendum-F,5,1769

Addendum G
Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Poster: How Many Brain Tumours
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-L-Lloyd-Morgan--Addendum-G,5,1770

Addendum H
Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Poster: Incidence Rate Model
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland-Declaration-of-L-Lloyd-Morgan--Addendum-H,5,1771

Addendum I
Declaration of Dr. L. Lloyd Morgan - Mobile Phone Use and Brain Tumours in Children and Adolescents
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/WiFi-in-Schools-Portland--Declaration-of-L-Lloyd-Morgan--Addendum-I,84,1767

Weinstein Response to Declaration by Dr. David Savitz
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/Weinstein-response-to-Declaration-of-Dr-David-Savitz,84,1785

Sharon Weinstein, MS, RN, CRNI, FACW, FAAN is President, Core Consulting Group, LLC. specializing in workforce-related issues impacting healthcare delivery, globalization, nurse-physician collaboration, patient/staff safety, humor in the workplace, stress management, and total wellness. Sharon has over thirty years of progressive clinical, education, administrative and health policy experience in healthcare management and clinical practice. She is also President of SMW Group LLC.

"Dr. Savitz makes numerous errors of omission in citing the references for his work; his expertise is clearly not in the field of EMF sensitivity related to WiFi and more. I wonder if he is a parent, and how he would feel if his own child/children were to be exposed to a form of radiation that we assume is 'safe' but that remains untested, particularly when studies have documented the harmful effects.

"And the safety issues continue. As a licensed healthcare professional, I witness the dangers of interference with defibrillators, cardiac monitors and intensive monitoring devices caused by radiofrequencies.

"As an epidemiologist, Dr. Savitz is limited in his ability to see beyond what is visible to the naked eye and in poorly documented studies. Do we really intend to sit by and accept this type of testimony as evidence that our future and that of our children and grandchildren will not be affected by the invisible threat? We know that the study and practice of epidemiology are limited because they cannot establish a chain of causation, nor can they make predictions concerning possible outcomes. As a parent, educator, and grandparent, I suggest that all families across the globe and specifically in North America consider wired technology. Safety first...it is our first and only priority.

"Thank you for the opportunity to comment on what appears to be a slanted deposition by someone who is clearly not an expert. To qualify him as such is a discredit to the public and to our future . . .

From David M. Aaron, Barrister and Solicitor

Dear Sirs / Mesdames:

I am legal counsel for Andrea Collins and the Citizens for Safe Technology Society ("the Complainants") and I am authorized to file this complaint on their behalf against the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority ("BC Hydro").

A. Overview
B. Legislative Background
C. The Wireless System
D. The Domestic Interface System
E. The Complainants
F. Standing
G. Remedy
H. Preliminary Submissions on the Section 45(1) Analysis
I. Human Health and Wellness
J. Environmental Integrity
K. Individual Privacy and Civil Liberties
L. Fiscal Responsibility of B.C. Hydro

View Press Release
View COPE 378 Letter

Naperville, Illinois - Naperville Smart Meter Awareness (NSMA) filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief (Complaint for Injunctive Relief 11-cv-9299) in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, this morning. We are seeking a stay of the installation of smart meters in Naperville, Illinois, which is set to begin next week, until reasonable safeguards are in place and a common sense alternative option for customers is made available.

The Illinois Attorney General is currently investigating the City of Naperville for what appears to be clear violations of the Open Meetings Act. The Open Meetings Act is designed to prohibit secret deliberations and action on matters which, due to their potential impact on the public, should be discussed in public forum. Violations of this Act are a serious offense and calls into question all decisions made on the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative.

"An Open Meetings Act violation investigation associated with Naperville Smart Grid Initiative is a serious offense, and one that brings all decisions relating to this project into question. The city should not be allowed to move forward with this project," states Tom Glass, NSMA Board Member.

NSMA, residents, and business owners have engaged the city council and public utility for over a year and a half in hopes of persuading the council to halt the meter deployment and allow residents to weigh in. The Naperville City Council has repeatedly reminded members of the community they made the decision long before residents opposed this project.

Over 30 volunteers collected 4,209 signatures for a referendum that would allow residents to vote on whether the city should continue the installation or dismantle the smart meter project and its wireless communications network.

"We were hopeful that the city and utility leaders would take the referenda seriously. They have repeatedly said that only a small number of residents are concerned with this project. We showed them that is not the case," states Jennifer Stahl, a founding member of NSMA.

"It was a difficult decision to file in federal court. We have worked tirelessly for months advocating for caution and informed consent. The council continuously disregarded our concerns. We urged them to heed the warnings from across the country and shared real time examples of communities that are questioning the wisdom of mandated "smart" meters. When that did not happen, we obtained over 4200 signatures and filed a referendum that would allow residents to vote on this project. There have been attempts to block the referendum and council has stated they will not take it seriously anyway. It has become clear that our city officials are no longer acting in the public's best interest. They have failed to stop the project in the face of public outcry. Without adequate choice, we feel the council left us no other option," stated Kim Bendis, President of NSMA.

Councilman Bob Fieseler stated in response to the referendum filing that he was not in favor of halting the project until the residents voted in March and that if the majority of residents rejected the project, they'd have a tough decision whether to follow the will of the people or move forward anyway. (Trib Local, 11-16-2011, Swasko)

There is no federal mandate for smart meters. The Energy Act of 2005 states utilities should offer its customers the option of a smart meter. According to Bendis, this is an opt-in program that is being marketed as a mandated project.

"All residents should have the right to choose what technology is used in and on their home, especially when it is controversial and potentially harmful", states Bendis.

The City of Naperville put out a media release at 1:45 pm, approximately 15 minutes prior to the press conference, stating "Recent Opposition Will Not Affect Scheduled Meter Deployment". The Mayor and City Council were served the complaint at 2:00 pm today, Friday December 30, 2011.

Today's filing in United States Federal Court represents one of the first federal filings regarding smart meters. Other advocacy groups have also sought legal action. Additionally, a long awaited decision by PG&E recently gave customers the ability to keep their analog meters in California, an option Naperville residents have been denied.

The statement read at our press conference: 12-30-2011-PressStatement-Complaint

# # #

Naperville Smart Meter Awareness is 501(c)(6) non-profit group of concerned citizens educating the public about the risks of wireless smart meters. We are comprised of lawyers, technology professionals, health advocates, accountants, business owners and parents in our community.

Smart meters are to be installed in Naperville starting January 2012 and pose risks in the areas of privacy, costs, security, and health. Our mission is to educate the residents of Naperville by bringing all pertinent information to the public and in doing so, advocate for a smarter solution in Naperville.

Walt McGinnis and Steve Satow of "stopsmartmeters.ca" formally and publicly launch the referendum initiative against the BC Liberals and BC Hydro's Smart Meters campaign at this press conference.