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June 2012 Newsletter
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Greetings!

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold Smart Meter public participation hearings in four different locations sometime next fall. The hearings will provide an opportunity for people to speak to the CPUC about Smart Meters, and the Smart Meter opt-out program. The CPUC has asked the EMF Safety Network to determine the locations by July 16.  If you are a California utility customer, please take this survey, which will help decide which four locations will be chosen: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRFZRM9 

 

On June 7, the CPUC voted on the EMF Safety Network appeal for the Smart Meter application filed in April 2010. We are still waiting to obtain a copy of their final decision, which has not been mailed or posted. If they dismiss it, we are free to sue the CPUC, having exhausted our legal remedies there.  

 

Since the application was filed two years ago, there is a lot more evidence of harm. We will need to carefully evaluate how to proceed. We need to collect declarations from people in California who have been harmed, or who are avoiding potential harm from Smart Meters. If you have experienced any problems regarding Smart Meters, over- billing, health, interference, fire, or a burned out appliance, please send a declaration. (See instructions in Call for Declarations section below.)

 

Thank you for your support!

 

All the Best, 

Sandi Maurer

 

CPUC Smart Meter Opt-Out Proceeding
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On May 16, 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) prehearing conference was held in San Francisco to establish the scope of the second phase of the Smart Meter opt-out proceeding.

The scope was intended to address opt-out cost, allocation of cost (who pays) and the rights of whole communities to opt-out. Parties are also asking for hearings on Smart Meter health and safety impacts, and commercial rights to be included in the scope of phase two.

Click here to view a video of EMF Safety Network comments. They can be heard at 24:50.

Read the Network PHC Statement. For more information including part 2 of the video taping of this proceeding visit Ecological Options Network.

Vermont Offering Free Smart Meter Opt-Out
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Last month the State Legislators of Vermont voted to allow utility customers a no fee Smart Meter opt-out! 

Specifically, the bill says that customers must be allowed "to choose not to have a wireless smart meter installed, at no additional monthly or other charge".

The legislation also calls for future reports related to smart meters to be submitted on: cost-savings associated with smart meters; whether any security breaches occurred because of the wireless technology; and the health effects of smart meters.

 

In California, the Public Utilities Commission approved arbitrary and punitive opt-out fees, and is forcing customers who do not want Smart Meters to agree to the charges- even though they've never evaluated the charges!  Seems like Vermont has a few smarter people in charge.

Call for Smart Meter Declarations
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We are collecting declarations from California utility customers who've been impacted by Smart Meters. These declarations will be included in CPUC proceedings, and/or future civil lawsuits. This is a legal document that you believe is true to the best of your knowledge and you will testify to.

  1. Copy and paste the declaration template (below) into a Word document or download a Word template by clicking here.
  2. Follow the prompts in the template. Click here for an example.
  3. Email completed form to [email protected].
  4. You will receive a confirmation by email, with a final copy converted into PDF/A format.
  5. Print out and sign two copies of the PDF/A format.
  6. Mail one signed copy to: EMF Safety Network, PO Box 1016, Sebastopol CA 95473 and keep one signed copy in a safe place for your own records.

Please circulate this call for declarations to others who have been impacted by Smart Meters.

 

Thank you for your help!

 

 

DECLARATION TEMPLATE:

 

Declaration of <insert full name>

I, <insert full name>, have personal knowledge of all facts set forth in this declaration and am competent to testify thereto if called upon to testify in a court of law.  I hereby declare:

 

1.  My name is <insert full name>, and I reside at <insert address, city state and zip>

2.  I am a utility customer of <insert name of gas and or electric company>

3.  <Continue using a numbered list - write out point by point your situation and complaint against the utility, the Smart Meters, or any aspect of the program, or deployment that impacted you. This is a legally binding document. You must be truthful to the best of your knowledge. End your declaration with the following wording:>

 

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of <insert state> that the facts set forth above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. This declaration was executed this <insert date> day of <insert month>, <insert year> at <insert city>, <insert state>.

 

/s/                                                                                                                   <insert full name here>


PG&E and SCE Commercial Opt-Out Letter Templates
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Do you have a place of business and want to write a letter to PG&E or SCE to tell them you do not want a smart meter installed? 
 
To access both letter templates, click here.

EMF Safety Network Contact Information
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p: 707-824-0824
e: [email protected] 
w: www.emfsafetynetwork.org
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