“It is a scientific principle that it is very difficult to prove a negative,” said James Schoedler, broadcast technical consultant, at last night’s GWP Smart Meter Energy Forum, in response to questions about smart meter radiofrequency safety.
He and other panelists spoke in-depth on aspects of smart meters, the smart grid, radiofrequency, and the California Public Utility Commission’s smart meter opt-out deliberations.
GWP Director Glenn Steiger and Schoedler made clear they hold the opinion that radiofrequency emissions from smart meters, and the wireless mesh network set up to transmit meters signals back to the utility, pose no threat to public health.
Dr. Rajit Gadh, UCLA, spoke about research into transforming the hierarchical nature of the electricity delivery system, electric vehicle pilot projects, and other research at UCLA. Marzia Zafar, California Public Utilities Commission, reported on the status of the opt-out deliberations at the CPUC and made it clear that municipalities and individuals could not unilaterally opt-out and if they wanted to they would have to appeal to their state legislators.
The forum attracted a crowd of about 100, including demonstrators outside. The meeting was disrupted twice at the beginning, but proceeded smoothly after that though there were several disgruntled people who wanted to voice concerns. Questions were instead collected on cards. Despite concerns that these were edited, the moderator did read confrontational questions on radiofrequency emissions’ proximity and safety, costs of/investment in the smart meter/smart grid project, opting out or replacing new meters with analog meters, cybersecurity, and more.
Stieger stated that the home area network (HAN) capability of GWP’s smart meters, which collects and displays detailed real time information about energy usage and costs, is turned off by default and will only be turned on at customer request.
Sunroom Desk noted previously that GWP had conducted extensive public outreach to pitch smart meters to the community. In his PowerPoint presentation, Steiger enumerated the forums, venues, audiences, and media GWP contacted. The sheer number and variety was impressive. If you wanted to reach everyone in Glendale, those slides would be a good guide. Check them out when the video is posted.
Cameras were rolling, and GWP said it would make a video of the entire presentation available online, along with a stand-alone video staff had planned to show during the forum but didn’t to allow more time to answer questions.
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Thanks for updating area residents on this forum and smart meter developments in Glendale. I walked into this forum when Mr. Stieger was dispelling what he called one of the “myths” about smart meters — regarding who owns the meters on our homes. He made sure to be very clear about telling us that GWP does. However, that statement came off as arrogant instead of enlightening, and tragically did more to further the divide between residents and the utility instead of healing the rift.
Now that PG&E wants to modify its smart meter program so that its customers will be able to restore and keep analog meters as options, will GWP do the same? It should, and we should not have to pay for opting out. We’ve already been financially penalized with higher rates and taxes to underwrite this ill-conceived investment that you and I never approved of or consented to.
Thus, utilities should not add insult to injury by demanding we pay fees and extra costs or higher rates for opting out. We should not have been forced to have smart meters on our homes in the first place.
GWP will be making a presentation about smart meter options to Glendale City Council, possibly this month (January 2012), depending on how the CPUC acts on smart meter options. GWP has stated it would look to the CPUC smart meter opt out decision in formulating its opt out program.
Burbank City Council, meanwhile, has already had a Phase 1 presentation by BWP on smart meter options. The Council members approved asking BWP to come back with a Phase 2 presentation on smart meter option costs. BWP was scheduled to do this on January 17, 2012.
How will our utilities also manage neighborhood associations or multi-residential properties that want to opt out?
Please continue to keep us updated on this front, and any recommendations you have on how our residents can advocate and support keeping or restoring their analog meters without extra fees, or higher rates.