HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST SMART METERS by William Thomas Made with Xara "Electromagnetic pollution (EMF) may be the most significant form of pollution human activity has produced in this century!" -Dr. Andrew Weil “Radio frequencies… will have deleterious medical effects to people... according to a large body of scientific literature. Babies and children will be particularly sensitive to the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of the radio frequency radiation.” -Dr. Helen Caldicott "Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity, but it is the man who invented the meter who made the money." -former US Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren THREE-WORD REASON FOR NOT WANTING SMART METERS ON HORNBY (FILL IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY) Radiation Radiation Radiation HOW MUCH POWER TO THE PEOPLE? Smart Meter shills claim that power levels are way too low to be dangerous. “Immediately adjacent to a power meter, the RF field power density will be about 0.1 watt per square centimeter,” reports Richard Tell Associates in their October 13, 2010  Analysis Of Radiofrequency Fields Associated With Operation of the Hydro One Smart Meter System. That’s 10 watts per square meter. The "Salzburg Precautionary Value" now being adopted across Europe for RF wireess exposure calls for one micro-watt per square meter. One microwatt is one- millionth of a watt. Basing the Canadian and US “safety”codes on singed flesh is like saying that smoking 24/7 won’t hurt you unless you burn yourself. In fact, by mimicking and overriding human biological frequencies, very low electromagnetic effects impact the brain the most. The damaging effects of wireless relays like cell phone towers, portable phone cradles and Smart Meters actually increase  at low power levels. [British Library Net Sept 14/03; BreakForNews.com Sept 15/04] Cell phone researcher Dr. Peter Franch says unequivocally that brain and other “cells are permanently damaged by cellular phone frequencies.” This cellular damage, Franch notes, is maximized at low power. [guardian.co.uk] British military scientists (and many other researchers) have found that cell phone transmissions disrupt the brain centres responsible for memory and learning. “Overuse” can cause forgetfulness and sudden confusion and the ability to concentrate, calculate and coordinate. [cellular-news.com] "There is currently enough evidence and technology available to warrant industry and governments alike in taking immediate steps to reduce exposure of consumers to mobile phone- related electromagnetic radiation and to make consumers clearly aware of potential dangers,” concludes Mayo Clinic-trained neurosurgeon Dr. Vini Gautam Khurana. [mercola.com June 2/11; ABC’s Of Cell Phones And Other Hazards Of The Wireless Age by William Thomas] Smart Meters transmit over WiFi (cell phone) frequencies. According to California’s PGE, “The meters will add signals that are similar to those produced by 900 MHz cordless phones and wireless routers commonly used within homes for distributing Internet to various computers.” [PGE] A SLIGHTLY LONGER REASON WHY YOU DON’T WANT SMART METERS Whether we’re talking about Fukushima’s fallout and its effects on the Gulf Islands, or the silent jackhammer pulses whipsawing all DNA exposed to wireless, the resulting cellular damage from each type of radiation is exactly the same. Regardless of whether fragments of microscopic nuclei stream away from cells exploded by nuclear or wireless radiation, cancer is virtually guaranteed. “All cancers are the result of genetic damage and the presence of micronuclei in living cells is a premier diagnostic marker for cancer,” explains former Motorola-researcher Dr. George Carlo. “Doctors treating victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster used micronuclei testing to determine the extent of radiation damage. “Dr. Joseph Roti, another highly-credentialed scientist who received sizeable funding from Motorola, also confirmed formation of micronuclei from exposure to common wireless devices at radiation levels far lower than those emitted by cell phones.” [Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age] Nuclear expert Daniel Hirsch is widely quoted in the media regarding the Fukushima FUBAR. When the California state legislature asked him to reviewed their report on smart meters and health, he found that many of the distortions that industry is using to deflect and confuse concern about wireless radiation are the same “spin” techniques used for decades to downplay the horrific effects of nuclear radiation. Though unreported in Canada and the United States, more than 2,000 studies – many of them frequently reported in Europe and increasingly acted on by governments there (as well as Israel) show the cumulative damage of cell phone and portable phone exposure. Hirsch calculates that a wireless smart meter of the type mandated for all BC Hydro customers exposes the entire body 24/7 to 100-times the radiation of a cellphone. [Vancouver Sun May 26/11] You can call this many things. “Inadvertent cull”, “mass brainwiping,” “criminal conspiracy”, “illegal” or “insane” come to mind. “Safe” is not one of them. (GOOGLE cancer rates) A DOCTOR’S ADVICE "There is no justification for the statement that smart meters have no adverse health effects," concludes Dr. David Carpenter, former head of the New York State Department of Public Health and now a university director for Health and Environment. "There is no such evidence. "The smart meter is for the benefit of the utility," Dr. Carpenter adds, "and at the expense of the consumer, who has to live in the house that has this constant exposure. So, an informed person should demand that they be allowed to keep their analog meter." [TheTyee.ca Aug 9/11] SAGE SMART METERS REPORT IS #1 “Assessment of Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Emissions from Smart Meters”  was released by the Sage Associates of Santa Barbara, California on January 1, 2011. The author’s signature, Cindy Sage, guarantees that it is independent and authoritative. Sage also co- wrote the most influential EMF study on this planet. Released in 2006 and updated in April 2011, the Bioinitiative Report has already led to bans on wireless in schools and libraries in Europe: Here are some excerpts on the equally well-documented Sage report on RF Microwave Radiation Emitted By Smart Meters:   "Consumers, for whatever personal reason, choice or necessity who have already eliminated all possible wireless exposures from their property and lives, may now face excessively high RF exposures in their homes from smart meters on a 24-hour basis.”   "Children’s tissues absorb RF differently and can absorb more RF than adults. The elderly and those on some medications respond more acutely to some RF exposures.  "Safety standards for peak exposure limits to radiofrequency have not been developed to take into account the particular sensitivity of the eyes and testes." (Check out the infertility rates around cell towers.) "No positive assertion of safety can be made with respect to pulsed RF when exposures are chronic and occur in the general population. Indiscriminate exposure to environmentally ubiquitous pulsed RF from the rollout of millions of new RF sources (smart meters) will mean far greater general population exposures, and potential health consequences.”  HORNBY ISLAND RATEPAYERS OPPOSE SMART METERS Motion: Annette Hurtig/Rob McCreary, “We, the residents and ratepayers of Hornby Island, recognize that wireless technology has not been proven safe, and that BC Hydro has not made a convincing case for the economic benefits of replacing existing meters with smart meters. We therefore direct that a letter be drafted requesting that the provincial government introduce a moratorium on the installation of smart meters pending fuller public consultation and study and that letters of concern be drafted to appropriate ministers of the provincial government, the Comox Valley Regional District Board of Directors and officials of BC Hydro.” [HIRRA Meeting Minutes Sept .14, 2011 page 3] GULF ISLANDERS FOR SAFE TECHNOLOGY OPPOSES SMART METERS  Mr. Anderson spoke against the use of “smart meters” by BC Hydro and asked the Trust to formalize a petition to BC Hydro against both these meters and wireless access. He submitted written comments in addition to his presentation. [Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee Meeting Minutes, June 2, 2011] Chris Anderson - a personal friend, long time Salt Spring resident and front-line companion during BC’s clearcut logging defense - went on to make a similar appeal to Hornby’s Local Trust Committee. As this professional EMR consultant wrote in the Gulf Islands Driftwood: Sentinel” species - such as bees, birds, bats, insects, and various plants – are adversely affected. Cowichan Valley bee populations plummeted in 2009 by a whopping 90%, in lockstep with the introduction of more area-wide wireless internet irradiation. (Salt Spring) wisely rejected two attempts to install cell transmitters in populated areas in 2000 and in 2004, based on science showing this type of technology to be dangerous to public health. Quebec and many countries are turning Smart Meters down… Health complaints from the new meters are in the tens of thousands. Dozens of communities are making smart meters “illegal”. Fairfax County Mayor Tremaine warns that “ambient electromagnetic fields” as a result of having Smart Meters “at every house running constantly is an unforeseen health risk. For people who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, it's going to be a living nightmare." [Driftwood Feb 13/11] VANCOUVER HOLDS “SMART METERS ARE STUPID” RALLY Irate and well-informed speakers and placard-wavers descended on the  BC Hydro Building at 333 Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver on June 22, 2011. Their take home message: “NO, NOPE, NIX, NEGATIVE, NYET!” TRUST SAYS RESIDENTS MUST ACT NOW Gabriola Trustee Malcolmson reported that the Islands Trust had received concerns about BC Hydro’s Smart Metering Program and referred to the Islands Trust Council resolution to convey the concerns to BC Hydro, and encourage BC Hydro to engage in consultations with Trust Area residents regarding the smart metering program. Trustee Malcolmson said that that the Islands Trust doesn’t have the capacity or expertise to monitor the effects of smart meters and encourages people to address the provincial government with their concerns. [Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Meeting Minutes June 28/11] Will Thomas photo COREX ME IF I’M WRONG So why is the government of Brutish Columbia spending 1 billion urgently needed tax dollars to foist smart meters on 1.8 million BC customers? The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind created by a few flapping wallets. [Times Colonist Aug 28/11] After installing Smart Meters up and down the U.S. west coast, igniting perfect storms of illness, denunciation and lawsuits, Corix Utilities has scored a $73 million contract to install Smart Meters in BC. By incredible coincidence, BC Hydro Director Tracey McVicar happens to head the western Canada division of one of Corix Utility’s biggest investors, CAI Capital Management. Ms. McVicar is also a BC Liberal Party donor. Long-time BC Liberal appointee David Emerson is both an investor and "senior advisor" to CAI Capital Management. And of course, BC Hydro executive vice-president Susan Yurkovich was a key member of the BC Liberal's 2005 election campaign committee. And Steve Vanagas jumped from deputy chief of staff for communications  in former premier Gordon Campbell’s office to become – surprise! - BC Hydro's communications director. What does this mean to you?   As usual a few insiders are cashing in on another scam – this one involving a large-scale home and office radiation experiment featuring your and your loved ones. Their payouts will continue when BC Hydro or its agents begin selling details of your hours at home, personal appliances and energy consumption to corporate advertisers and law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, as first your sleep then your life goes to crap and your family starts falling apart around you with the same debilitating symptoms, BC Hydro has announced rate hikes of 50% over five years to pay for the smart meter installation. That should do it. In Ontario, post-Smart Meters electric rates went up an electrifying 150%.  [TheTyee.ca Aug 9/11; Times Colonist May 25/11] THEY WILL THEY WON’T THEY WILL Reimer said BC Hydro has received "a couple of thousand" complaints about the smart meters and has been trying to work with each customer to figure out a solution. This reporter has talked to several Hornby residents who say that BC Hydro has promised not to install Smart Meters on their homes after they called to opt out. In fact, hydro “users” have the option of relocating the meters farther away from their home - at their own cost. And that’s about it. Unless, that is, communities follow Salt Spring’s example and resist en masse. A BC Hydro spokesman is reportedly urging communities who don’t want Smart Meters to organize against them. BC Hydro will back away from prickly communities, he told a Hornby resident. READY OR NOT, HORNBY - HERE THEY COME! Our meter maid is out of work on February 2012. For Smart Meters to be installed on every hideout on Hornby by then means that stealthy CORIX smart meter forces will be landing here soon. Look for their unmarked white vans. Confront these uniformed personnel and demand their IDs and Hornby Visas. Then spread the word. Happily, if not hopefully, we will have already taken these immediate urgent steps right away. Will Thomas photo HOW TO DEFEND YOUR PROPERTY AGAINST BC HYDRO TRICKERY Registering your opposition, non-consent and general orneriness toward Smart Meters with BC “Hydra” - and being told. “Congratulations! You are now on our very special ‘Delay List’” - is not enough! As Citizens For Safe Technology points out, "B.C. Hydro Smart Metering Team is using their ‘delay list,’ which they say doesn't exist, in a strategic way. By requesting Hydro to flag your account for delayed installation, you are, in their view, implying that at some future date of their choosing, you will be informed, and you will have in effect agreed to accept the meter. “In this way, Hydro can set up a schedule for a smart meter rollout in ‘quieter’ areas first, following through at a later date when most other meters have been installed under the guise of èimplied consentè.  “With each request for opt-out, delayed installation, or no installation, B.C. Hydro's mantra has been that there ‘is no list,’ no avenue for resistance, and no confirmation given for a flagged account.  Citizens For Safe Technology highly recommends a further step: “even if Hydro has told you that your account has been flagged for a delayed installation,” you need to send the following Refusal Letter Of Non-Consent For Smart Meter (Updated!) by email to them at: smartmeters@bchydro.com  and info.utilities@corix.com  Right now! Then mount this sign on your current meter.   For the email letter and sign, plus complete instructions, all relevant email addresses, useful links and news updates from the burgeoning Smart Meter Resistance Movement, click here ASAP. LOCK YOUR METER!  Every analog meter needs a chastity belt to resist digital advances. Call Pat Perry and purchase his inexpensive meter collar to prevent removal and replacement of your current meter. (To double your pleasure, ask him where he is donating the proceeds.) 350-335-2528 BE CAREFUL!!! urges the Ford Cove dock committee. UTILITY METERS ARE CONNECTED TO TRUNK WIRING CARRYING SERIOUS VOLTAGES. DO NOT DRILL HOLES UNLESS YOU ARE “DEAD CERTAIN“ WHERE THAT DRILL BIT IS GOING! SIGN BC SMART METERS PETITION Gulf Islands-based Citizens For Safe Technology have a petition on their website opposing wireless SmartMeters. Please visit the site and sign the petition here. URGE YOUR LOCAL ISLANDS TRUST COMMITTEE TO IMMEDIATELY ADOPT THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE AND DECLARE YOUR COMMUNITY A “SMART METER FREE ISLAND”! Countries, courts and communities across Europe are taking precautionary legal steps to reduce wireless radiation. The principle simply states that if you cannot prove no harm, don’t do it! FRANCE CALLS FOR LOWER WIRELESS EMISSIONS After concluding that because questions remained about long term effects and that it was not possible to formally demonstrate an absence of risk, in October 2009, the French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety recommended reducing  exposure to electromagnetic emissions. [Telecompaper Europe Oct 16/09] GERMAN DOCTORS CALL FOR MAJOR EMF REDUCTIONS, BANS On October 9, 2002 the Freiberg Appeal was signed by 2,000 doctors and health professionals.  Besides revising outdated EMF safety standards and restrict cell phone use, their principal demand to the German Government was to prohibit portable phones and all other pulsing and continuous operation wireless systems. (Like Smart Meters.) COUNCIL OF EUROPE BANS WIRELESS FROM CLASSROOMS In May 2011, the European Council recommended that all 47 member states ban mobile phones and wireless networks in classrooms and schools because of the health risk posed by those technologies. In setting preventive thresholds for levels of long-term exposure to microwaves in all indoor areas at 0.2 volts per meter, the council urged European nations to "Pay particular attention to ‘electrosensitive’ persons suffering from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network." Arguing that it is crucial to avoid repeating the mistakes made when public health officials failed to recognize the dangers of asbestos, tobacco smoking and lead, the EU Council cautioned, "One must respect the precautionary principle" in regard to cell phones and other wireless technologies - "especially to radio frequencies." [Telegraph May 14/11; Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly May 6/11]  EU GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS TIGHTER EMF STANDARDS Declaring that "the limits on exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMFs] which have been set for the general public are obsolete," in June 2011, the European Parliament voted 522 to 16 to recommend tighter safety standards for cell phones and similar wireless radiation.   The European Parliament said it was "greatly concerned at the Bio-Initiative international report concerning EMFs, which summarises over 1500 studies on that topic and which points in its conclusions to the health risks posed by emissions from mobile-telephony devices." US GOVERNMENT PANEL URGES PRECUATIONARY PRINCIPLE FOR EMF In 2010, the US President's Cancer Panel pointed to cell phones and other wireless technologies as potential causes of cancer. The panel recommended, "When credible evidence exists that there may be a hazard, a precautionary approach should be adopted and alternatives should be sought." “Yo! What’s happening on Hornby, other Gulf Islands and elsewhere in BC to repel the corporate Smart Meter invasion?” See more Citizen’s Action here: See this website for information about the health impacts of wireless technologies and tools to help you take immediate action for change! SEE MORE ON SMART METER HAZARDS HERE. STOP SMART METERS BC © William Thomas 2012 (Please cite URL when reposting. Thank you) Made with Xara