Thread: Angry Customers Return SmartMeters

BLOG UPDATE: “Smart” meter battle moving into mainstream

5 October 2014 at 12:01am | 936


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Free subscription to the updates: http://bit.ly/TBYPsubscribe
by Josh del Sol, director and producer, Take Back Your Power

Here’s the major news of the past two weeks as the “smart” meter battle continues to move into the mainstream.
Ralph Nader in the ring:

Past U.S. presidential candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader is getting punchy about “smart” meters, which are in his words a “step toward technological despotism.” Bang-on accurate. Hear the audio interview here:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...cal-despotism/
Wall Street Journal:

On Thursday, the WSJ blew the whistle: One in 10 cell/grid towers violate even FCC’s safety guidelines - for an estimated 30,000 illegal towers in the US. With industry’s sway in government, how will the “radiation fallout” be stopped?
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...diation-rules/
Naperville victory:

Kim Bendis (seen in Take Back Your Power) has finally been officially acquitted in the ridiculous propaganda case of her and Jen Stahl being arrested for refusing a “smart” meter:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...r-arrest-case/
Waste of money:

In the UK, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and an influential MP are recognizing the Department of Climate Change’s colossal “waste of money” in the works — a minimum of £10.9billion to be precise:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...s-waste-money/
Sustainable heist:

How is it even possible to find ourselves this far off the tracks? For years Patrick Wood has been patiently explaining. Could what’s become of “sustainable development” be the largest corporate bait-and-switch of all time?
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...ent-conned-us/
Irish water debacle:

Water bills of €240 or more for cash-strapped families, thanks to so named “smart” meters… and the Irish are outraged after, amazingly, politicians attempt to exempt themselves:
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish...nt-pay-4354752
New energy:

And in feelgood news, a new supercar that uses a saltwater-based technology has been approved certified for use on European roads:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/...-yes-its-real/

* * *
Quote of the day, spoken-word style:




Watch the film, join the mission

Around the world, Take Back Your Power (2014 Edition) is awakening people to the “smart” meter agenda, and the empowering actions each of us can take.
Have you got your copy yet?
Visit our DVD shop or stream the film online now, and embed the film on your site or blog.
Share the vibe:
Follow news and developments as they happen, and invite friends on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
* * *
Upcoming screenings:

05 Oct – Sechelt, BC – flyer
08 Oct – West Palm Beach, FL
16 Oct – Marton, Rangitikei, NZ – flyer
16 Oct – Tamatea, Napier, NZ
18 Oct – Bellevue, WA
22 Oct – Courtenay, BC, CAN
29 Oct – Launceston, Tasmania – flyer
07 Nov – Grass Valley, CA – flyer
08 Nov – Federal Way, WA
22 Nov – Seattle, WA


» see all screening details
» host a screening
» request a TV broadcast

* * *
onward,
Josh del Sol
producer & director
TakeBackYourPower.net



http://www.takebackyourpower.net/

BLOG UPDATE: “Smart” meter battle moving into mainstream

5 October 2014 at 12:01am | 936


FacebookTwitter


Free subscription to the updates: http://bit.ly/TBYPsubscribe
by Josh del Sol, director and producer, Take Back Your Power

Here’s the major news of the past two weeks as the “smart” meter battle continues to move into the mainstream.
Ralph Nader in the ring:

Past U.S. presidential candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader is getting punchy about “smart” meters, which are in his words a “step toward technological despotism.” Bang-on accurate. Hear the audio interview here:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...cal-despotism/
Wall Street Journal:

On Thursday, the WSJ blew the whistle: One in 10 cell/grid towers violate even FCC’s safety guidelines - for an estimated 30,000 illegal towers in the US. With industry’s sway in government, how will the “radiation fallout” be stopped?
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...diation-rules/
Naperville victory:

Kim Bendis (seen in Take Back Your Power) has finally been officially acquitted in the ridiculous propaganda case of her and Jen Stahl being arrested for refusing a “smart” meter:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...r-arrest-case/
Waste of money:

In the UK, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and an influential MP are recognizing the Department of Climate Change’s colossal “waste of money” in the works — a minimum of £10.9billion to be precise:
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...s-waste-money/
Sustainable heist:

How is it even possible to find ourselves this far off the tracks? For years Patrick Wood has been patiently explaining. Could what’s become of “sustainable development” be the largest corporate bait-and-switch of all time?
http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...ent-conned-us/
Irish water debacle:

Water bills of €240 or more for cash-strapped families, thanks to so named “smart” meters… and the Irish are outraged after, amazingly, politicians attempt to exempt themselves:
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish...nt-pay-4354752
New energy:

And in feelgood news, a new supercar that uses a saltwater-based technology has been approved certified for use on European roads:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/...-yes-its-real/

* * *
Quote of the day, spoken-word style:




Watch the film, join the mission

Around the world, Take Back Your Power (2014 Edition) is awakening people to the “smart” meter agenda, and the empowering actions each of us can take.
Have you got your copy yet?
Visit our DVD shop or stream the film online now, and embed the film on your site or blog.
Share the vibe:
Follow news and developments as they happen, and invite friends on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
* * *
Upcoming screenings:

05 Oct – Sechelt, BC – flyer
08 Oct – West Palm Beach, FL
16 Oct – Marton, Rangitikei, NZ – flyer
16 Oct – Tamatea, Napier, NZ
18 Oct – Bellevue, WA
22 Oct – Courtenay, BC, CAN
29 Oct – Launceston, Tasmania – flyer
07 Nov – Grass Valley, CA – flyer
08 Nov – Federal Way, WA
22 Nov – Seattle, WA


» see all screening details
» host a screening
» request a TV broadcast

* * *
onward,
Josh del Sol
producer & director
TakeBackYourPower.net



http://www.takebackyourpower.net/

“Take Back Your Power” now in theaters: International distribution with Tugg Inc

9 October 2014 at 11:40am | 723
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Join the revolution and bring “Take Back Your Power” to your local theater, without a booking cost

Book the revelatory documentary in your local theater, without cost (USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada):
www.tugg.com/titles/take-back-your-power

Seattle, WA (Oct 9, 2014) – BigPitcher Films and Tugg, Inc. (www.tugg.com) are pleased to announce that Take Back Your Power (2014 Edition) is now available to screen in theaters across the USA, Australia and New Zealand, with Canada supported for select screenings.
Take Back Your Power is an inspiring documentary which investigates the so-named “smart grid” and “smart meters” being installed by utilities worldwide. Del Sol’s award-winning film uncovers shocking evidence of in-home privacy invasions, increased utility bills, health & environmental harm, fires and unprecedented hacking vulnerability – and lights the way toward solutions.
Tugg is a web-platform that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theaters, and create their own theatrical events – without any booking cost.
“The team at Take Back Your Power are pleased to partner with Tugg to provide the opportunity to see the final 2014 Edition of the film in local theaters everywhere – without any booking or rental cost! After several film festivals and more than 180 community screenings worldwide, our initiative with Tugg is helping the film achieve the next level of awareness and impact. We hope that all of our supporters take advantage of this unique program, book a theater and promote the heck out of their event,” said Josh del Sol, director and producer of Take Back Your Power.
Book Take Back Your Power in your local theater at no cost, today:• In USA: www.tugg.com/titles/take-back-your-power
• In Australia and NZ: contact Andrew Hazelton, info@leapfrogfilms.com.au
• In Canada: www.takebackyourpower.net/screenings/host/tugg-theatrical-canada
• Other regions: As Tugg.com is not yet available worldwide, please use our main screening page.
If you’re in the USA, here’s how it works:

1. Fill out the Tugg Event Request Form via www.tugg.com/titles/take-back-your-power and choose a theater, date, and time.
2. After theater approval, the Promoter’s Event Page can begin reserving tickets online, while earning 5%. You can also raise donations for local efforts via your Tugg Event Page!
3. The Event Promoter and attendees then share the event and confirm the screening by reserving enough tickets before the deadline.
4. Enjoy the show!

http://www.takebackyourpower.net/new...with-tugg-com/

Published on Oct 7, 2014
Dan Happel presents his outstanding Agenda 21 outline in Kalispell, MT

CUSTOMERS CAN DITCH METERS — FOR A PRICE

Some oppose wireless ‘smart’ utility devices

By Morgan Lee5:05 A.M.DEC. 6, 2014

California regulators are ready to deliver a bill to utility customers who want to get rid of “smart” meters that transmit data continuously about household consumption of electricity and natural gas.

After years of deliberations, utility regulators said this week that they are prepared to lock in a $75 fee for people who don’t want a smart meter at their home, with additional $10 monthly payments. The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on the fee Dec. 18.

Some utility customers have health concerns about the effects of wireless signals, while others oppose sharing detailed information about electricity and natural gas use. Regulators across the country are grappling with similar complaints.

“It is not fair for individuals to have to pay to not be irradiated,” said Susan Brinchman, who represents a tiny-but-vocal group of San Diego-area utility customers opposed to smart meters.

“We’re not going to let go of this at all. We want these things banned,” said Brinchman, director of the Center for Electrosmog Prevention.

California utilities and regulators, meanwhile, see smart meters as a crucial component of efforts to make the modern power grid more efficient and rein in air pollution linked to respiratory problems and climate change.

Given the green light by state regulators in 2007, San Diego Gas & Electric has equipped its entire territory with smart meters, swapping out more than 1.4 million electric meters and adding advanced communications to 900,000 natural gas meters. Out of those customers, about 2,570 have had analog meters reinstalled at a cost of about $1.5 million.

Smart meters have only just begun to fulfill their touted technological promise, as customers monitor their own energy use remotely by smartphone, and use the data to conserve energy and save money.

SDG&E says the proposed $75 fee and $10 monthly payments do not come close to covering its costs to reinstall the old technology.

It wanted to charge a fee of nearly $190, with monthly payments of $13.30.

Utilities commission President Michael Peevey has recommended what he calls a more affordable $75 fee and billing the remainder to other customers.

“It’s socializing the costs in a way,” Peevey said. “It’s not unprecedented. We do that in many, many areas.”

Low-income customers would pay less to opt out from the smart meter: $10 initially, with a $5 monthly fee.

The fees pay for the analog meters, maintenance and monthly visits from meter readers.

Utility customers haven’t finished paying off the original analog meters that were retired. SDG&E was authorized last year to recollect a final $85 million by 2017, providing a return for investors.

Regulators have taken pains not to link the opt-out provisions for smart meters to any health and safety concerns — an area pre-empted by federal law.

Nevertheless, public comments at the start of each utilities commission meeting in San Francisco are dominated by accounts of pain and suffering by people professing to be highly sensitive to smart meters and their radio frequency signals.

SDG&E says its smart meters comply with federal radio frequency limits and produce far less exposure than other household appliances and electronics, including cellphones, baby monitors and microwave ovens.

Based on SDG&E’s figures, a small number of its customers — about one in 450 — is expected to opt out.

Discussing smart meters at a public meeting this week, utilities commission member Mike Florio asked the commission to reconsider allowing municipalities and homeowners associations to opt out of smart meters en masse. Others on the commission said the idea already had been vetted and rejected, though it could be taken up again in future years.

SDG&E said no communities within its service territory have requested to opt out.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/...s-for-a-price/

Smart Parking Meters Find A Home In San Diego

Thursday, October 30, 2014
By City News Service


A smart parking meter in the Gaslamp Quarter, Oct. 30, 2014.


Digging for change to feed a parking meter will soon be part of San Diego history.

The city of San Diego is installing around 200 "smart" parking meters beginning this week that will accept credit card payments and track usage of spaces.

The devices, which cost a total of $3.8 million, are replacing traditional single-space meters that only accept coins, according to the office of City Council President Todd Gloria.

"Bringing smart parking meters to San Diego was on the short list of things I wanted to accomplish during my tenure as (interim) mayor, and I know San Diegans and visitors will notice the improvement this week upon their installation," Gloria said.

"San Diego is a city of innovation and people here should not resort to the antiquated practice of searching for coins for parking meters," he said. "With more user-friendly parking meters, customers will be able to more easily patronize the small businesses throughout downtown, Uptown, and Mid-City, contributing to the economic development of our city."

About 97 percent of San Diego's parking meters are being replaced, according to Gloria's office. The devices use the city's existing meter poles, making installation easier and preserving useful current infrastructure.

The smart meters are being installed first in the Gaslamp Quarter, with other areas of downtown to follow. The meters will be installed in the Uptown and Mid-City areas early next year.

When installation is complete, the city plans to start a pilot project to to let customers pay via their mobile phones. Gloria calls them "super smart meters," and said, "It might send you a text message to let you know when you're meter's about to expire, and also may even let you know on a smartphone app where the empty spaces are."

Data from the meters will be used to guide the future policies of the city and community parking groups, Gloria said.

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/oct/30...ome-san-diego/
KPBS contributed to this story

• CITY NEWS SERVICE

Related Content

• More Free Parking For Hillcrest Residents, Visitors | June 6, 2014
• New Smart Parking Meters Coming To San Diego | February 28, 2014
• Smart Meter Opt-Out Options In California | April 19, 2012