by Katherine | 8 Feb, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
According to www.scoop.co.nz it will cost millions of dollars to replace analogue (electromechanical) meters with microwave-radiation emiting “smart meters” in Invercargill and Southland.
According to the article:
“PowerNet will begin its installation of smart meters within the next couple of months, after the announcement of a $24.5 million investment.”
The roll out is planned to occur over a three year period. To their credit, while PowerNet chief executive Jason Franklin said that while he expected “education” about “smart meters” would cause people to welcome them, “Ultimately, if someone doesn’t want a smart meter we won’t impose one on them.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/9681601/Millions-ploughed-into-new-meter-system
According Powernet’s website, the company manages lines for The Power Company Limited, Electricity Invercargill Limited, OtagoNet Joint Venture, Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority (SIESA), and Electricity Southland Limited (Lakeland Network in Frankton.)
If you live in any of these area and do not want a “smart meter”, please see this link for information: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/how-to-avoid-getting-a-smart-meter/
Please also warn relatives and friends in the area.
by Katherine | 5 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power, Users Feedback
Take Back Your Power has been named winner of the AwareGuide (http://awareguide.com/) Transformational Film of the Year!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who voted for the film.
A message from Director Dosh Del Sol is below:
Dear Friends,
YOU made this happen!
Because of your outpouring of support, we’ve won our first major award.
This is a win for the movement, people’s rights and the health of our world.
With deep gratitude,
Josh del Sol
PS. See the full press release here (or read it below):
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
‘Take Back Your Power’ Wins Transformational Film of the Year Award
SEATTLE, Washington (February 5, 2014) — The hard-hitting documentary Take Back Your Power has been named winner of the AwareGuide Transformational Film of the Year. The crowd-funded film exposes in-home surveillance issues, customer billing corruption, potential health risks and other problems associated with utilites’ plans for upgrading to a centralized “smart” energy grid. It finished atop the list of 33 worldwide finalists along with ‘The Ghosts In Our Machine’, co-winner of the award.
“This is a victory for a growing majority who want to restore sanity to the roles played by technology and government,” said Josh del Sol, producer and director of Take Back Your Power. “The issues unveiled in our film leave viewers rocked and inspired to see solutions. Winning this award means people are ready for a positive transformation. ”
“A Transformational film,” according to AwareGuide founder and CEO Gary Tomchuk, “seeks to inspire the movement of society towards ideals, values and practices that create a better world for everyone. They focus on solutions for subjects such as consciousness, environment, health, and social issues.”
Take Back Your Power features interview footage from whistleblower Edward Snowden, former CIA Director James Woolsey, former British Columbia premier Bill Vander Zalm, public health investigator Blake Levitt, rights advocate lawyer James Turner, and other experts, doctors and environmentalists.
“The NSA spying progams are half of the story – we’re exposing the other half, and what we can do about it,” stated del Sol. “We have an amazing community of grassroots support worldwide, and have held more than 90 community screenings. Our aim is to work with grassroots campaigners in every city, and to have every public official see Take Back Your Power.”
Take Back Your Power is available to stream online and on DVD at www.takebackyourpower.net, where viewers can also request a community screening.
(Site editor’s note: Free/koha screenings of Take Back Your Power are being organised in NZ. Please sign up for updates on www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz and you will be sent an email to let you know about screenings that are coming up.
If you would like to organise a screening of Take Back Your Power in your own community, please email through this link https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/ and you will be sent information and be given support to do this.)
by Katherine | 4 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power, Users Feedback
Take Back Your Power, the documentary on “smart meters” and the “smart grid” which explores, health, privacy and other issues relating to “smart meters” has been nominated for the “Transformational Film of the Year” award by awareguide.com.
Voting closes at 9 pm NZ time Tuesday February 4.
Take Back Your Power needs YOUR help to win.
If you haven’t already voted please do so now at this link http://dir.awareguide.com/index.php/vote
If you have voted, THANK YOU! and please tell your friends and family and ask them to vote too by emailing them this link or sharing on Facebook, Twitter etc!
For more information see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/take-back-your-power-nominated-for-award/
by Katherine | 4 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power, Users Feedback
There is still time to vote for Take Back Your Power to help this great “smart meter” expose win the Aware Guide “Transformational Film of the Year” Award.
Please vote at this link http://dir.awareguide.com/index.php/vote NOW while voting is still open:
After you vote, please SHARE THE LINK with everyone you know. We need supporters to post it everywhere this afternoon & evening: Email, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit…
More info on the movie and award nomination may be found at this link https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/take-back-your-power-nominated-for-award/
by Katherine | 3 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
Hi,
This is a note to let you know that recently I re-contacted Genesis Energy concerning the removal of this smart meter from my property. My initial contact, with Genesis Energy when these were first installed on the coast was to be to be told “no Smart Meter no electricity”!
However this time they were very helpful and within a week a contractor arrived and removed the modem at no extra charge. I will forward for your information their letter to me.
Sincerely,
[Name supplied]
Site editor’s comment: This contributor was a sent an email by Genesis which stated that when the modem was removed, the meter would no longer transmit data via the Vodafone network and meter readers would need to call at the home to get manual meter readings. The email also stated that the company could not guarantee the meter reading would remain a “non-chargeable” service in future due to the fact that many of the company’s customers will have “advanced” meters.
by Katherine | 3 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power, Uncategorized, Users Feedback
Great news! Stop Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia has reported that the “smart meter” documentary Take Back Your Power is at #3 in the voting ranking for the “Transformational Film of the Year Award, so please vote now if you have not already done so! (SOURCE: http://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2014/02/02/vote-for-take-back-your-power-film/)
This is the link at which you can vote: awareguide.com
Further information is below:
Take Back Your Power, the documentary on “smart meters” and the “smart grid” which explores, health, privacy and other issues relating to “smart meters” has been nominated for the “Transformational Film of the Year” award by awareguide.com.
Winners of the award are determined by votes from the public, so if you have seen this excellent documentary and would like to support it, please vote online at awareguide.com
Votes need to be made by the evening of Monday February 3rd, (LA time).
(You can see introductory materials about the documentary here: http://awareguide.com/index.php?start=6
If you have not seen the film you can stream or purchase a copy at www.takebackyour power.net
The trailer can be accessed via at this link:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/trailer-for-new-smart-meter-documentary-now-online/
Public screenings of Take Back Your Power are planned for many parts of NZ in 2014, so please sign up to the email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz and you will be emailed information about showings near you. If you are interested in running a showing yourself, please email through this link https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/ and you will sent information and support materials.
by Katherine | 2 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
An article on the website of Stop Smart Meters UK reports that a patent for a device to reduce exposure the the pulsed microwave radiation (such as is produced by Wi-Fi routers) states that this type of radiation is “genotoxic” i.e. it causes damage to DNA.
You can read the full story at this link:
http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/major-phone-firm-patent-admits-non-thermal-exposures-to-wireless-radiation-is-genotoxic-causes-clear-damage-to-hereditary-material/
Editor’s comment: Like mobile phones,”smart meters” are also a source of microwave radiation. (How much radiation exposure is caused by a “smart meter” varies in relation to the make and model of the meter and the location of the meter in/on a home or building, among other factors.)
by Katherine | 2 Feb, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
Site editor’s note: Counties Power is currently installing “smart meters” in the area in which it maintains electricity lines (Franklin and Papkura areas.) These meters are in a mesh network. For further details see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/counties-power-smart-meter-rollout-now-in-progress/
Below you can read a letter from a retired nurse who asserted her right to say no to a “smart meter” because of the potential effects on her health and privacy.
Counties Power responded to the letter below by informing the nurse in writing that a “smart meter” will not be installed; a great result, so the letter below could be used as a template for other people who do not want a “smart meter”.
(For more information on how to prevent a “smart meter” installation please see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/how-to-avoid-getting-a-smart-meter/ )
Please note that even if you have a written agreement with your electricity company (or lines company) not to install a “smart meter” it is prudent to put a lock and sign on your meter box in case of communication glitches mean that your name is not removed from the installation list.
NOTICE OF NO CONSENT TO TRESPASS
This is a legal notice.
Be advised, you and all other parties are hereby denied consent for installation and use of any and all “Smart Meters”, “Smart Boxes”, “Advanced Meters” or any other surveillance and activity monitoring device, or devices, at the above property.
These devices can impinge on my privacy, due to it having the capability of being a surveillance system, can impinge on my health due to the possible carcinogen as acknowledged by the WHO, specifically radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, emitted by your wireless ‘Smart Meter’. The ‘Smart Meter’ also emits biologically destructive “pulsed” and “dirty electricity” radiation in one’s home, and that is UNLAWFUL because your power company has no easement (rightful access) to do that!! A ‘Smart Meter’ also has potential to interfere with my freedom, which is inherent – not the benefit of citizenship, nor conferred/granted me by government or any other agency. The potential for ‘Smart Meters’ to misuse my personal data is unethical. With a ‘Smart Meter’ installed, my freedom to do what I want, when I want, in my own home can be potentially curtailed and monitored by Counties Power computers.
Unethical too is the absence of any notification by Counties Power that having a ‘Smart Meter’ installed at people’s homes is optional. Analogue meters are a proven and perfectly reliable and safe technology having been in use since 1872.
Installation and use of any surveillance and activity monitoring device that sends and receives communications technology is hereby refused and prohibited. Informed consent is legally required for installation of any surveillance device and any device that will collect and transmit private and personal data to undisclosed and unauthorized parties for undisclosed and unauthorized purposes. Authorization for sharing of personal and private information may only be given by the originator and subject of that information. That authorization is hereby denied and refused with regard to the above property and all its occupants.
This property is owned under ‘a grant in fee simple title’ and trespass applies for entry without invitation or the express written permission from the property owners.
All contact with the property owners must be in writing.
Yours faithfully,
by Katherine | 30 Jan, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power
Site editor’s note: Take Back Your Power (see www.takebackyourpower.net) is an excellent documentary that covers health, privacy and other issues associated with “smart meters” and the “smart grid” in an engaging way. It has now been nominated for an award. Voting for this award ends on the evening of Monday, February 3, so please vote now at www.awareguide.com if you would like to help this important film win!
Below is a message from the film’s director, Josh del Sol, that you may like to read, which includes tips for how to use social media to spread the word about the award nomination and how to vote:
Dear Friends,
Thanks to all of your ongoing support, our film and the movement to stop “smart” meters continues to grow. The latest exciting news is that we’ve been nominated for the 2013 AwareGuide Transformational Film of the Year.
We need your help to win.
Please take a moment to VOTE for Take Back Your Power.
We are thrilled with this prestigious nomination that will help to galvanize more people to support the film and to join our movement.
After you’ve had a moment to vote, please spread the word about voting with this link: http://awareguide.com/index.php
–Email to your subscribers and friends
–Post on Facebook
–Share on Twitter using hashtags like #spygrid, #NoSmartMeters, #takebackyourpower
–Repost to your websites
Thank you for all you do.
Best,
Josh del Sol
Director, Take Back Your Power
www.takebackyourpower.net
PS: Don’t forget to share this link after you vote! http://awareguide.com/index.php
by Katherine | 29 Jan, 2014 | Latest News, Take Back Your Power
Take Back Your Power, the documentary on “smart meters” and the “smart grid” which explores, health, privacy and other issues relating to “smart meters” has been nominated for the “Transformational Film of the Year” award by awareguide.com.
Winners of the award are determined by votes from the public, so if you have seen this excellent documentary and would like to support it, please vote online at awareguide.com
Votes need to be made by the evening of Monday February 3rd, (LA time).
(You can see introductory materials about the documentary here: http://awareguide.com/index.php?start=6
If you have not seen the film you can stream or purchase a copy at www.takebackyour power.net
The trailer can be accessed via at this link:
https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/trailer-for-new-smart-meter-documentary-now-online/
Public screenings of Take Back Your Power are planned for many parts of NZ in 2014, so please sign up to the email list at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz and you will be emailed information about showings near you. if you are interested in running a showing yourself, please email through this link https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/ and you will sent information and support materials.
by Katherine | 28 Jan, 2014 | Latest News, Users Feedback
Hi,
I wanted to say thank you for posting information about which electricity companies are open to changing the smart meters.
I have switched from Meridian to Contact today, but it will still take some time to sort the problem because the smart meter, being new, isn’t registered yet apparently.
Once this is sorted Contact energy will take out the ‘chip’ for $125. Powershop would do it for $160, but couldn’t guarantee it could be done until I’d joined up.
Both companies cannot guarantee that we won’t have to have a smart meter in 2015.
Meridian wasn’t interested in anything 🙁
Thanks so much for having this site.
Kind regards
by Katherine | 22 Jan, 2014 | Latest News, Uncategorized
French film maker Marc Khanne (currently a resident of London) spent three years researching electrohypersensitivity (also known as EHS or electrosensitivity or ES) in preparation for making his latest film. EHS is a distressing condition in which people react to electromagnetic radiation (such as that which is produced by cell phones, cell phone towers, smart meters etc) with a variety of symptoms which often include severe pain and fatigue. The trailer for his film Desperately Seeking White Zone may be viewed on youtube at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSK7ciWMFmE&feature=youtu.be
The website for the film is http://www.electrosensitive-white-zone-ehs-film.com/
Copies of the DVD may be purchased from the site, with a free DVD being offered for each DVD purchased. (NZ requires PAL DVDs.)
For health professionals who need information about EHS, the following link provides useful information: http://www.magdahavas.com/austrian-medical-association-guidelines-to-diagnosing-and-treating-patients-with-electrohypersensitivity/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/87308119/Guideline-of-the-Austrian-Medical-Association-for-the-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-EMF-related-health-problems-and-illnesses-EMF-syndrome
by Katherine | 22 Jan, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
The Australian state of Victoria has been the site of a massive roll out of “smart meters” in recent years. This has been financially costly for all consumers. It has also meant that some people who are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation have had their health so badly affected that they have had to move to another state to escape the level of electromagnetic pollution caused by the “smart grid” in their home state. (For one example, please see this link http://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2013/12/21/farewell-steve-and-thank-you/)
Now it appears that some of the companies involved in this “smart meter” roll out, during which people have reported being intimidation by power companies ( see: http://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2013/11/29/leave-me-be-sp-ausnet-you-have-harmed-me-enough-already/ ) are at least part-owned by companies that are in turn owned by the Chinese communist regime. This regime, is, of course infamous for its treatment of political and religious dissidents. Lesser known is the regime’s brutal treatment of women; under its “one child family” policy women who become pregnant with a second child can be (and have been) kidnapped from the street or their homes by “Family Planning” officials and taken to hospitals where their babies have been forcibly aborted, up to and including the third trimester. (Apologies to sensitive readers.)
For more details on the Chinese communist regime’s financial interest in companies trying to force “smart meters” on Australians, please see this link:
http://stopsmartmeters.com.au/2014/01/06/the-chinese-government-is-now-the-major-player-in-victorias-electricity-distribution-businesses/
by Katherine | 17 Jan, 2014 | Government and Electricity Industry Positions, Latest News
Counties Power which manages the electricity lines for Pukekohe and surrounding areas including parts of Papakura is now replacing analogue (electromechanical) meters with “smart meters”. These will be replaced first in Pukekohe.
According to Counties Power’s website:
“The smart meters being purchased by Counties Power will be supplied by Landis+Gyr, and will be manufactured in Australia. The meters can communicate with each other and with 220 relays to form a meshed communication network. This mesh configuration ensures no single fault will disrupt the meter communications. The communication equipment is provided by Silver Spring Networks, with the accompanying software being managed by Metrix.” (See: http://www.countiespower.com/news.htm for more information.)
The meshed network system chosen by Counties Power will probably mean that the meters send out pulses of microwave radiation more frequently than “smart meters” which are not part of a mesh network.
The “smart” electricity meters being installed by Counties Power contain a “Zigbee” ship or unit which is an additional source of microwave radiation. (See http://www.countiespower.com/smartnetwork.htm)
People who live in Pukekohe, Papakura and surrounding areas who do not want a “smart meter” should take precautions now such as putting a lock and notice on their meter box if it is outside. In the case of an indoor meter box is inside, it is prudent to inform members of the household who may be at home that if a technician comes to replace the electricity meter, they should not to let the technician into the house. For more information on how to prevent an unwanted “smart meter” installation, please see this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/how-to-avoid-getting-a-smart-meter/
Please also take the time to inform friends and relatives in the area about the “smart meter” issue as it can be difficult to get a “smart meter” removed once it has been installed.
Counties Power is respecting people who notifiy the company that they do not want a “smart meter”: See this link for an example: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/retired-nurse-prevents-counties-power-smart-meter-installation/
by Katherine | 17 Jan, 2014 | Latest News, Uncategorized, Users Feedback
Editor’s note: The following email was contributed by a site visitor who was suffering from chronic headaches and was concerned that these could be linked to the “smart meter” at his house. Consequently he engaged Paul Waddell from www.safespace.net.nz to test his home for EMR. The result was that the most likely cause of his headaches was identified as the Wi-Fi router in his bedroom – and other sources of electropollution in his home were identified as well.
Hi Katherine,
What a learning curve from Paul, my computer modem was dishing out 20,000 microwatts per square metre in my bedroom!
Since I connect to the modem by cable, he showed me how to disconnect the Wi-FI part of the router. A microwave oven is 8,000 microwatts per square metre.
Also, the office downstairs was being radiated 24/7 by the portable telephone at 20,000 microwatts per square metre! This was a big shock its twice the level of an iphone , luckily these things drop dramatically every few feet from source. However, the lounge above the office was being radiated through the ceiling, so that has been thrown out and a land line installed.
The “smart meter” [on the wall of his home] luckily is only pulsing every 6 hours. I know some are pulsing more regularly depending on their location. Some have to pulse to other meters in the neighbourhood and then pass it to the cell phone tower; those are more dangerous than mine. The “smart meter” was measured as pulsing at 3,750 microwatts per square metre. [See note below – Ed] The electricity company is avoiding my calls as they know I want the meter removed… I’m lucky as my meter is not one of the ones that pulse more frequently, a small relief for me, but this can be deadly for children. (In the case of the Te Horo school boy who died from a brain tumour recently his father discovered after the lad’s diagnosis that he had been sleeping with his iphone under his pillow.) Paul showed they [iphones] pulse at 10,000 microwatts per square metre when they ring or receive a txt but having it near your head for hour on end can be very unhealthy. Now I’m educated about the levels of radiation I can make changes to avoid long term exposure, and my headaches have now gone.
Editor’s comment: The measurement of 3,750 microwatts per square metre was not taken directly at the “smart meter” but about ten metres away from the “smart meter”. (The reasons for this was that it wasn’t possible to set up the equipment at a secure location closer to the “smart meter”. ) As the interior of the wall onto which the “smart meter” was installed has had aluminium foil put up to reflect the radiation away out of the house, the reading inside the home could well have been higher had this precaution not been taken.
This contributor’s experience also shows the importance of identifying other sources of potentially harmful EMR in a home. Exposure to the pulsed microwave radiation from Wi-Fi can cause unpleasant symptoms for some people, such as the contributor above. Cordless phones and their bases can produce high levels of EMR and in fact one study found that people who had begun to use cordless phones as a child or or teenager had almost four times the brain tumour risk of people who did not use cordless phones until they were 20. (Starting cell phone use as a child or teenager was associated with five times greater risk of brain tumours than people who did not use cell phones until they were 20 years old. See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8606104/Mobile-phones-cause-five-fold-increase-in-brain-cancer-risk.html)
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