Smart meter bullying is an international problem

Website editor’s note:  Over the years Stop Smart Meters NZ has reported on New Zealanders (such as this one) who have been bullied by electricity companies that want to install smart meters at their homes or businesses regardless of the fact that customers don’t want them – and have good reasons for refusing their installation.

Recently Stop Smart Meters NZ received an email regarding a case of smart meter bullying in Spain, illustrating the fact that electricity companies there are similarly shameless in the way that they are prepared to bully people who do not want smart meters.

 

 

June 11, 2018

Dear Stop Smart Meters NZ,

 

I am writing you from Spain, my home country, where a struggle against smart meters has been taking place in the last few years, ever since the Spanish Government issued a decree in 2012 making mandatory to have the analog meters replaced by smart meters.

 

Since I rejected the installation of a smart meter by IBERDROLA – the Spanish utility company three years ago, I have been following very closely this struggle in countries like Unites States, Australia, Canada, United Kindom and, of course, yours in New Zeeland.

 

In Spain, the struggle is relatively active, but the awesome power of electrical companies and the idleness of the government, makes it extremely difficult for citizens to win this war. We have no one in the government willing to openly confront electrical companies, the reason being what you call “revolving doors”, i.e some high government officials are given very well paid jobs in the board of directors of the electrical companies once they leave their public life. We have a list of high ranking officials, including former Spanish presidents, who today are occupying a seat in the board of directors of Iberdrola, Endesa, Gas Natural, etc.,”

 

After my three years of struggle and my repeated argument that I reject the smart meter on medical grounds, (I have been diagnosed with CLL (Leukemia) which could very well be linked to electromagnetic waves), Iberdrola has kept on bullying me and just last week has given me a final warning threatening with having my electrical supply interrupted if I do not let them to install me a smart meter; this is plain bulling since the only reason to suspend electrical supply is to have two consecutive unpaid bills and I always pay my bills on time.

 

I know that my case has nothing to do with your struggle in New Zeeland, but I believe that if, published in your web, it will serve to convey to New Zeeland citizens and also citizens of other countries like myself, that the struggle is not confined to a particular country but that it has become universal, as demonstrated by the already institutionalized “International Day of Action Against Smart Meters”. I can assure you that, if this case is referred in your web, I will make sure that it is published in the various related webs existing in Spain.

 

Kind regards,

Manuel Delgado

Madrid, Spain

 

Website editor’s note

If you are interested in the smart meter issue, please sign up for email updates at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz

NB: If you wish to report a smart meter related problem (for example new symptoms after a smart meter installation or a fire or bullying behaviour on the part of a smart meter installer or staff in any electricity company, you may do this through the contact form at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/

All correspondence is treated in confidence and information received is not posted on this website unless permission is given for this to be done.

Assertive approach foils “aggressive” smart meter installer

Website editor’s note:  The account below was contributed by a business person who has chosen to remain anonymous.

The events described below show how a calm and assertive manner can result in a successful outcome – even if a smart meter installer acts in an unprofessional and unpleasant manner.

 

I am a retailer who opposes smart meters.   I have a sign on the shop’s power meter stating: “NO SMART METER!”

I share the meter with an individual who lives above the shop.   Unfortunately, he gave consent to his power provider to install a smart meter, and consequently, a contractor arrived looking very official and somewhat self important, ready to install one.   He showed  me his name tag and announced that he was installing a smart meter.    I asked him if he had read my: “NO SMART METER!” sign and then I informed him that he would not be installing a smart meter.     He replied: “It’s for the household upstairs” and I replied: “Give me a minute to talk to him and I promise that when I have finished he also will not want a smart meter”.

The contractor then became aggressive and said: “You don’t own the meter!”   and I answered: “Neither do you!”

The contractor demanded explanations and told me that I represented .02% of the population and asked why don’t I just go along with everything and why do I have to be difficult.   He then said that the amount of the emissions from the smart meter was no more than what comes off one cell phone.

His manner was aggressive and threatening.

I asked him why he was raising his voice and getting upset and told him that I was not obliged to give him any reasons as to why I did not want a smart meter.   He once again mentioned that I was in the .02% of the population.

I  reminded him that it is not a law to have a smart meter installed, that we are still allowed to think for ourselves in New Zealand and if I represent .02%, my thoughts and opinions  still count.   I asked him to change his tone and attitude and asked him to please leave my premises.     As he was leaving I called out to him and said “Excuse me mister,  just thought I’d let you know that I don’t care what you think.”

I did not enjoy my experience and phoned Northpower to complain about the aggressive man trying to bully people into having a smart meter.  Northpower did a track for me and were able to verify that he was not one of their employees, as their employees are instructed to respect the wishes of the householder.   They realized that this particular man was a contractor and suggested to me that he would be upset because each meter was worth money to him.   Northpower suggested I ring Genesis Energy, as this was the company that had a contract with him.   This I did and I filed my complaint and asked for an explanation concerning the bullying behavior of the contractor.  I  asked that the contractor never come into my shop again, because next time I would ring the police.

I later received a letter of apology from Genesis.

I would also like to mention the resident upstairs from my shop has changed power companies and now fully supports my stand against smart meters.

 

Editor’s note:  Some of the many reasons why increasing numbers of New Zealanders are refusing for smart meters to be installed may be read at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/why-people-are-saying-no-to-smart-meters/

If you are interested in the smart meter issue, please sign up for email updates at www.stopsmartmeters.org.nz

NB: If you wish to report a smart meter related problem (for example new symptoms after a smart meter installation or a fire or bullying behaviour on the part of a smart meter installer or staff in any electricity company, you may do this through the contact form at this link: https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/contact-us/

All correspondence is treated in confidence and information received is not posted on this website unless permission is given for this to be done.