by Katherine | 25 Nov, 2015 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power
If you have not already seen the award winning smart meter documentary Take Back Your Power you can now watch this great film for FREE (until December 2).
www.takebackyourpower.net/free-viewing
NB: If you have already seen Take Back Your Power, please share this post through email, social media etc. to let your friend s and family know about this important issue…
Thank you!
PS: If you would like to keep up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you.
by Katherine | 24 Nov, 2015 | Latest News
The interesting article at the link below describes a study of the health of trees in an urban area which detected signs of damage to foliage which was attributed to exposure to the microwave radiation produced by wi-fi routers.
http://wakeup-world.com/2015/11/18/is-wi-fi-killing-trees/
This research, and the observation of increasing numbers of sick trees in urban environments in Europe since the proliferation of wireless technologies inevitably raises the question of whether this form of radiation is safe for other life forms such as humans.
By the way, www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz has been sent photos of of a damaged plant that was growing near a smart meter in NZ. If you have noticed ill or dying vegetation around a smart meter, wi-fi router or other source of microwave radiation and would like to report it, you can send a message through the Contact Form.
You can see how the health of a shrub was dramatically affected by a bank of smart meters in the USA at this link: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/04/08/shrubs-dont-lie/
On a related note, you can see a youtube of radiation from a smart meter being measured at the link below. The vine growing close the the meter is dying back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsuP_WBBr2c
(The meter shown in the link above is not typical of the type used in NZ so the footage is probably not from NZ.)
NB: If you would like to keep up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you.
by Katherine | 19 Nov, 2015 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
The Electricity Authority Requires that Meters Have Valid Certification
As this website has previously stated, the Electricity Authority (EA) requires that companies in the electricity industry make sure that their customers’ meters are certified. (The EA does NOT require companies to install smart meters.) A lot of meters in NZ had their certification expire on April 1, 2015. (See this link for details: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/april-1-deadline-for-electricity-meter-certification/
This included about 55% of the “category 1” meters owned by Alpine Energy, a lines company in the South Island according to a document on the EA’s website.
Realising that some of its meters where the certification was expiring were not were not going to be replaced in time to meet the EA deadline, according to this document, Alpine Energy initiated a sampling programme to test its meters’ accuracy.
Some meters were found to be inaccurate but the EA document reports “However, the parties consider the impact is minor.”
To ensure that its meters are compliant in the future, Alpine Energy has made a number of undertakings to the EA, including:
Quoting from the EA document:
“7. Settlement 7.1 Alpine agrees to: (a) take all practicable steps to achieve compliance as fast as possible, preferably by 24 December 2016. To achieve this outcome, Alpine commits to taking the following actions: (i) certifying all non-compliant metering installations regardless of suitability for an AMI meter, by using any compliant meters or moving the metering point where customers are refusing permission to install electronic/AMI meters;
(ii) prioritising the replacement of uncertified metering installations in areas where there is a high concentration of uncertified metering installations;
Quote from the document again:
‘e….If the trader at the metering installation does not arrange reasonable access, and Alpine has made all reasonable efforts to meet the trader’s access requirement, then that metering installation is removed from the counts if Alpine alleges a breach against the trader. This is so Alpine is not penalised for the trader’s failure to arrange access, if the customer refuses access, or for safety issues for which the customer is responsible;
Implications for Consumers
My interpretation (and please note that I am not a lawyer) is that this document is very good news for NZ consumers.
It suggests to me that if you live in the part of the South lsland where Alpine Energy owns the meters you are in a very strong position to refuse a smart meter if one is offered to you. Assuming I have correctly interpreted the text of the settlement agreement there will be NO PENALTY for Alpine Energy if any meters that it owns remains out of certification because its customers refuse to have a smart meter installed.
Moreover, under the circumstances, Alpine may agree to install an “analogue” meter instead of a smart meter. (NB: A true electromechanical analogue meter is called a Ferraris meter meter). Some companies in NZ have been describing a variety of electronic meters as “analogue” meters. (If you clarify that a Ferraris meter is the type of meter that you want, you may be told that Ferraris meters are not available; if this is the case you could offer to buy one and have Contact Energy’s technician fit it for you. There are certified Ferraris meters on the NZ market and they cost around $100.)
it is possible that you may be offered a smart meter without its transmission modem and you can read about this option at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/comparing-analogue-ferraris-meters-with-smart-meters-which-have-had-the-modem-removed/
Alpine Energy’s smart meter roll out is managed by SmnartCo and it looks from an image on the Alpine Energy’s website that the type of meters that Smart Co wants to install on behalf of Alpine Energy is a Landis+Gyr brand smart meter on a mesh network that has been reported to cause unpleasant symptoms and even interfere with the performance of a nearby computer. (See this link for details: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/headaches-disappear-after-comms-device-removed-from-smart-meter/
A Victory for Everyone Involved in the Smart Meter Resistance Movement
I see the EA’s decision not to penalise Alpine Energy (if customers whose meter are owned by Alpine Energy refuse a smart meter) as a victory for everyone who has been helping with the campaign against smart meters. There a large number of New Zealanders who have refused to have a smart meter installed at their homes and businesses. Many people around NZ have also helped on the campaign against smart meters in many other ways, such as by running community screenings of the award-winning smart meter documentary Take Back Your Power, sharing information via Facebook, handing out leaflets at public events etc.
Everyone in NZ who has refused to have a smart meter installed at their home or business because of the potential health, fire, privacy and financial risks of these so-called “smart” meters is helping to make a difference. Thank you, everyone!
The link to the document on the EA website will be added here as soon as the EA website is back online.
if you would like to keep up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you.
by Katherine | 19 Nov, 2015 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
The Electricity Authority Requires that Meters Have Valid Certification
As this website has previously stated, the Electricity Authority (EA) requires that companies in the electricity industry make sure that their customers’ meters are certified. (The EA does NOT require companies to install smart meters.) A lot of meters in NZ had their certification expire on April 1, 2015. (See this link for details: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/april-1-deadline-for-electricity-meter-certification/
This included some meters owned by Contact Energy, according to a document on the EA’s website. Realising that some of its meters where the certification was expiring were not were not going to be replaced in time to meet the EA deadline, according to this document, Contact initiated a sampling programme to test its meters’ accuracy.
Quoting from the EA document:
“The results of the statistical sampling showed the vast majority of these meters are within the prescribed variance. However, the results also showed a bias towards running slowly during times of low load, with only a few meters marginally outside the level of tolerance for meters running fast. When tested at high load the sample results appeared more accurate.”
(This is good news for consumers, in my opinion, as it shows that most older meters owned by Contact Energy are reasonably accurate.)
Among other undertakings, Contact has agreed to fix its problem with meters having had their certification expire by doing the following:
“7.1 a (i) certifying all non-compliant ICPs regardless of suitability for an AMI meter, including sourcing small form factor meters and relays for use where an AMI meter will not physically fit or using “analogue” meters or moving the metering point where customers are refusing permission to install electronic/AMI meters;
“7.1 d If the trader at the metering installation does not arrange reasonable access, and Contact has made all reasonable efforts to meet the trader’s access requirement, then that metering installation is removed from the counts if Contact alleges a breach against the trader. This is so Contact is not penalised for the trader’s failure to arrange access, if the customer refuses access, or for safety issues for which the customer is responsible;”
Implications for Consumers
My interpretation (and please note that I am not a lawyer) is that this document is very good news for NZ consumers.
It suggests to me that if you are a customer of Contact Energy or the meter at your home or business is owned by Contact Energy, you can refuse to get a smart meter if one is offered to you. Assuming I have correctly interpreted the text of the settlement agreement there will be NO PENALTY for Contact if any meters that it owns remains out of certification because its customers refuse to have a smart meter installed.
NB: If you do not know what company owns the meter at your home you can ask your electricity retailer or email the Electricity Authority (include your ICP number and address) if you email the EA and ask what company owns the meter.
Moreover, under the circumstances, Contact Energy may agree to install an “analogue” meter instead of a smart meter. (A true electromechanic analogue meter is called a Ferraris meter meter). Some companies in NZ have been describing a variety of electronic meters as “analogue: meters. (If you clarify that a Ferraris meter is the type of meter that you want, you may be told that Ferraris meters are not available; if this is the case you could offer to buy one and have Contact Energy’s technician fit it for you. There are certified Ferraris meters on the NZ market and they cost around $100.)
it is possible that you may be offered a smart meter without its transmission modem and you can read about this option at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/comparing-analogue-ferraris-meters-with-smart-meters-which-have-had-the-modem-removed/
A Victory for Everyone Involved in the Smart Meter Resistance Movement
I see the EA’s decision not to penalise Contact Energy if its customers (or customers whose meters are owned by Contact Emnergy) refuse a smart meter as a victory for everyone who has been helping with the campaign against smart meters.
Every New Zealander who has refused to have a smart meter installed at their home or business (and I know that there are a lot of us out there) because of the potential health, fire, privacy and financial risks of these so-called “smart” meters is helping to make a difference.
The link to the document on the EA website will be added here as soon as the EA website is back online.
if you would like to keep up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you
by Katherine | 19 Nov, 2015 | Latest News
A report has been made to the FDA about a possible interaction between a smart meter and an implanted neurostimulator in a patient with Parkinson’s disease.
To quote from the FDA website:
“Event Description
It was reported that the patient had been feeling dizzy and was losing balance when walking after an electric meter was installed the previous day. Additional information has been requested, a follow-up report will be sent if additional information becomes available.”
The follow up information was this:
“Additional information indicated that the patient’s family had a hard time determining if the meter was effecting the patient or if they symptoms were just a progression of the patient’s Parkinson’s disease. The health care provider stated that this was the first time they had come across a smart meter potentially affecting a neurostimulator. They also were unsure if the smart meter is effecting the patient’s neurostimulator or not. The patient was trying to have the electric meter replaced with the old mechanical one. If additional information becomes available, a follow-up report will be sent.”
So it is unclear at this stage whether the EMF from the smart meter was affecting the neurostimulator or not.
In the context of this report, it is interesting that author Suzanne Somers, whose new book TOX-SICK was recently released said in an interview that high EMF environments trigger the symptom of “facial grimaces” in her husband who has Parkinson’s disease. (You can read excerpts from Suzanne Somer’s new book and interview at this link http://smartgridawareness.org/2015/11/13/suzanne-somers-warns-about-smart-meters-as-toxic-threat/
if you have any sort of implanted medical electronic device such as a pace maker or neurostimulator and are concerned that the functioning of the device may have been intefered with by a smart meter or other source or electromagnetic radiation, you can report your concerns to through the Contact Form at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/ (NB: Reports are received in confidence and information is not posted on the website unless written permission is given for this to be done.)
The full FDA report relating to the possible interaction between the implanted stimulator and the smart meter may be read at the link below.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/detail.cfm?mdrfoi__id=2353116&can_id=d028303958739301d12184e5a8dfd075&source=email-november-2015-stop-smart-meters-bulletin&email_referrer=november-2015-stop-smart-meters-bulletin&email_subject=november-2015-stop-smart-meters-bulletin
To keep up to date with the smart meter situation in NZ, please join the email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
by Katherine | 18 Nov, 2015 | Latest News
The website www.smartgridawareness.org just published a story with the headline “‘Smart’ Meters are the Great Consumer ‘Rip-off’ of Our Time”.
The story is based on an article on the UK website http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/
This website (the “financial website of the year”) reports how British utility companies are planning to charge their customers double the normal tariffs at peak times i.e cold winter evenings when people most need to use electricity. (The term “Time of Use” or TOU may be used by the industry to describe tariffs that vary according to the time of then day.)
This is a potential risk for consumers everywhere in the world where smart meters are being introduced. (For the full story please see these links:
http://smartgridawareness.org/2015/11/18/smart-meters-are-the-rip-off-of-our-time/
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3322658/The-great-smart-meter-rip-UK-energy-giants-use-devices-DOUBLE-cost-power-need-most.html
For a NZ perspective on this issue, please see this link:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/the-advantages-of-smart-meters/
Please note that even if the transmission capacity of a smart meter has been disabled, this may not protect consumers from having Time of Use tariffs imposed on them; please see this post for details:
Comparing analogue (Ferraris) meters with smart meters which have had the modem removed
To keep up to date with the smart meter situation in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
by Katherine | 15 Nov, 2015 | Latest News
The excellent website http://smartgridawareness.org has just reported that actress, cancer survivor, health advocate and businesswoman Suzanne Somers has tackled the topic of smart meters in her new book TOX-SICK
You can read what Suzanne Somers has to say about smart meters at this link:
http://smartgridawareness.org/2015/11/13/suzanne-somers-warns-about-smart-meters-as-toxic-threat/
More information about the book may be found on Suzanne Somers’ website at the link below
http://www.suzannesomers.com/pages/tox-sick-from-toxic-to-not-sick
NB: Please note that in NZ, to date, no companies are requiring people who refuse smart meters to pay any sort of opt out fee. To keep up to date with the smart meter situation in NZ, please join the email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
by Katherine | 13 Nov, 2015 | Latest News
Is Wi-Fi on planes a potential health and safety risk for passengers and staff? You can read what scientists and doctors have to say about this at the link below.
http://safertechsolutions.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/In-flight-WiFi-Health-Safety-Issues_STSolutions.pdf
Please note that if you are interested in wi-fi and health, there is a search facility on this website at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz (use wifi and/or wi-fi as your search terms.)
To stay up to date on the smart meter issue in NZ, there is a free email list to which you can sign up also at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
by Katherine | 8 Nov, 2015 | Events, Latest News
The text of the controversial TPPA has finally been made public. previously leaked text suggests that the TPPA could erode the NZ government’s ability to protect public health, worker’s rights and the environment.
This website has previously included information about how the TPPA may impact on the smart meter situation which you can read at the link below.
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/concerned-about-how-the-tppa-might-impact-on-the-smart-meter-situation/
To learn more about the TPPA in general please visit
http://itsourfuture.org.nz/
The above website has information about the Day of Action against the TPPA on November 14, 2015.
by Katherine | 28 Oct, 2015 | Latest News
A local newspaper in the Kaipara District of Northland has reported that a smart meter caught fire at a school in Tinopai.
It appears from the report that the fire fortunately did not cause damage beyond the meter board. The school was up and running the next day. The full story and a a good photo of the volunteer fire fighters who attended the fire as well as the melted smart meter at the link below:
http://www.kaiparalifestyler.co.nz/Of_Interest.cfm?NewsID=9136
Stop Smart Meters NZ has also recently received a report of a house fire in NZ caused by a smart meter. In this case, the house was rendered uninhabitable.
If you have had a home or business affected by a smart meter fire or unexplained electrical fire, you can report this to Stop Smart Meters NZ through the Contact Form. (Information is kept in confidence and not published on the website unless permission is given to do this.)
More information about smart meters and fires in NZ may be found at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/are-smart-meters-causing-fires-in-new-zealand/
To stay up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please sign up to the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
by Katherine | 28 Oct, 2015 | Events, Latest News
Specialist environmental lawyer Sue Grey will be giving a presentation on wi-fi in schools on November 3. Please find the flyer below:
WIFI Flyer for November 3 2015 meeting
if you are not in the Queenstown area, some of Sue Grey’s work on EMR and health may be found on this website by using the search function on www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz
Tuesday 3rd November 2015
7.00pm – 9.30pm
Memorial Hall Queenstown
Admission: $5.00 at the door on the night
CASH ONLY – no eftpos
NB: RSVP details are on the flyer.
NB: The free email list for www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz is a good way to learn about EMR and health related events.
by Katherine | 22 Oct, 2015 | Latest News
A petition has been organised on behalf of people who have electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) whose serious health problems need better recognition.
Please consider signing this important petition. If you are on Facebook, please consider putting a link to this post on your Facebook page to share this information. Thank you.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/World_Health_Organization_Include_EHS_ans_MCS_in_the_International_Classification_of_Diseases/
NB: To read about a great book written by a woman who developed multiple chemical sensitivity and electrohypersensitivity, please see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/prostituting-science-a-must-read-book-about-environmental-illness/
For more information about electrohypersensitivity you can use the search function at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz and search for electrohypersensitivity or EHS.
To sign up for a free email list to keep updated on the smart meter issue, please visit www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you.
by Katherine | 22 Oct, 2015 | Latest News
At the link below you can see specialist environmental lawyer Sue Grey interviewed about smart meters on Mainland News. The interview is the fourth item on the programme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1QMR3v3ayQ
For more information about Sue Grey you can use the search function at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz for Sue Grey.
Or you may like to read what she wrote about the regulation of EMR in NZ at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/read-an-environmental-lawyers-perspective-on-proposed-changes-to-regulation-of-electromagnetic-radiation/
The latest TV coverage of the smart meter issue may be found at this link:
Maori TV news “Te Kaea” covers the smart meter story
To sign up for a free email list to keep updated on the smart meter issue, please visit www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you.
by Katherine | 22 Oct, 2015 | Latest News
Smart meters and EMR in general recently featured on the Hamilton-bsed community radio show “From the Fringes” hosted by Jack Geiler.
Environmental lawyer Sue Grey was recently interviewed and also Katherine Smith.
Directions on how to find these programmes are below
http://www.freefm.org.nz/programmes/from-the-fringes
Click on Podcasts for search for the above program and dates.
Go to the drop down menu for ‘From the Fringes’ programmes.
Guest speakers Sue Grey was on 01 Sept. and Katherine Smith on 14th Oct.
Both programs can be re listened to and are also downloadable.
Please note that there has been recent TV coverage in NZ of the smart meter issue and you can see this at the links below:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/maori-tv-news-te-kaea-covers-the-smart-meter-story/
Environmental lawyer Sue Grey talks about smart meters on Mainland News
To stay up to date with the smart meter issue in NZ, please join the free email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz Thank you!
by Katherine | 15 Oct, 2015 | Events, Latest News
A talk about EMR and health is one of the many health-related talks taking place at the Natural Health Expo at Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton on October 17-18.
The schedule for all the seminars is here: http://www.naturalhealthexpo.co.nz/index.php/seminars/hamilton-2015
The EMR talk is at 3PM on Sunday 18th October.
Recent Comments