Smart Meters and Grids
It
is the plan of power and energy authorities worldwide to replace
current disk-style hydro, gas and water meters with digital "Smart
Meters." These are wireless devices that use radiofrequency waves to
monitor use and transmit information about each household's consumption.
They are being enthusiastically promoted by governments and industry
as a "green initiative," supposedly enabling utility companies to
efficiently monitor consumption during peak and "down" times, and
encourage wise use of energy and resources.
The vision is that these
"Smart Meters" will operate within a wider ranging "Smart Grid."
The
information-carrying radio waves, transmitting 24/7, will effectively
blanket homes and neighbourhoods with radiation that could adversely
affect not just humans but all living systems.
In particular, these
meters have the potential to affect not only electrohypersensitive
persons, but children and pregnant women, persons with medical
conditions such as heart arrhythmia, those with compromised immune
systems, and others who rely on medical and/or metal implants or
equipment.
In addition to health concerns, Smart Meters bring with them
questions about fire and security hazards.
The costs of
installing the new digital wireless meters is substantial, their
accuracy is debatable, and there is much controversy as to whether or
not the readings serve to decrease power use, or simply to increase
power costs to consumers.
Government employees who now read the
disk-style meters total approximately 3000 men and women in the province
of British Columbia alone. Digital Smart Meters will effectively
eliminate these jobs.
