I attended the city council meeting last night where a member of Concerned Citizens for Safe Technology gave a short presentation outlining some of the problems that other communities have been having with smart meters.
After her presentation, two councillors proceeded, in a rather flippant, paternalistic way, to blow off her concerns as invalid. It was quite a spectacle.
The fact remains, though, that smart meters are extremely unpopular in every jurisdiction in which they have been installed for two main reasons: first, smart meters emit high-intensity pulses of microwave radiation.
This means that citizens, whether they like it or not, will have to endure radiation in their homes, 24/7, that is much more intense than talking on a cell phone all day and all night long.
Second, the reason BC Hydro wants to install these smart meters is so that customers can be charged more for energy usage during peak hours. This is why customers with smart meters consistently pay more for power usage than those with analogue meters. This has proven to be the case in Ontario and in every state in which smart meters have been implemented.
So, let's review what citizens can expect from smart meters: The World Health Organization has publicly stated that the intense microwave radiation emitted by smart meters is toxic. Therefore, we can expect increased risks to our health inside our homes, with no way to protect ourselves. We can also expect higher hydro bills.
What do we get in return? Nothing. This is why BC Hydro is installing smart meters in such a heavy-handed way. The corporation knows that smart meters are wildly unpopular.
Since we cannot count on our elected officials to help us, it's obvious that we citizens have to start informing and organizing ourselves to oppose smart meters.
Matt Shaw
Prince George
