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Stop Smart Meters! Bulletin
Vol. 24- November 2014
StopSmartMeters.org
Contact: info@stopsmartmeters.org
PO Box 682 Portola, CA 96122 United States
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
CONTENTS
1. CPUC ISSUES PROPOSED DECISION ON OPT OUT PROCEEDING- COMMENT BY NOV. 18
2. SAN ANTONIO, TX EVENT TOMORROW! ST. LOUIS NEXT WED.
3. BRIEF NEWS UPDATES
4. SHOP OUR ONLINE STORE- BUMPER STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE
5. SUPPORT SSM! PLEASE DONATE OR VOLUNTEER
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1. CPUC ISSUES PROPOSED DECISION ON OPT OUT PROCEEDING- COMMENT BY NOV. 18
The following is from the EMF Safety Network, intervenors in California’s Phase 2 smart meter opt out proceeding:
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Judge Amy Yip-Kikugawa and President Michael Peevey have issued two proposed decisions in the smart meter opt-out proceeding. Here’s a recap of what they state:
- Give 37 million dollars to Investor Owned Utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and So Cal Gas) for providing the opt-out program.
- Adopt permanent fees for residential customers who “do not wish to have a wireless smart meter”.
- Continue the same interim fees of $75 initial fee, plus $10 a month, and $10 initial fee and $5 a month for low income.
- Local governments and multi-unit dwellings may not collectively opt out of smart meter installations.
- Charging an opt-out fee does not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- They will not address health and safety impacts in this decision.
- Assess fees on a per location basis, for example if you have two or more meters on your property, that will be one fee, per utility company.
- If you have two utilities, they can both charge you fees.
- Peevey proposes putting a cap on the opt-out fees at 3 years.
- Both Peevey and Yip-Kikugawa refuse to consider a no fee option.
A proposed decision is not necessarily the final authority. In 2011 the proposed decision stated the opt-out meter for PG&E would be a radio-off smart meter. After strong public opposition the final decision allowed for the analog meter.
What you can do:
1) Send your comments by November 18th via email to ALJ Amy Yip-Kikugawa: ayk@cpuc.ca.gov and to Michael Peevey’s advisor Manisha Lakhanpal: m12@cpuc.ca.gov You can also request to meet with the Commissioners in person. Please cc info@stopsmartmeters.org with your public comments.
2) Go to the CPUC meetings and speak out. The next three PUC meetings are:
- November 20th 9:30am
- December 4th 9:30am
- December 18th 9:30am
The CPUC is located at 505 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA.
More details and links to the proposed decisions here.
View videos of public comments at October 2nd CPUC Meeting here.
2. SSM! DIRECTOR JOSH HART SPEAKING IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TOMORROW, ST. LOUIS MISSOURI NEXT WEEK
It’s time to get back on the road, and visit affiliate groups around the country to help spread the message that the smart grid is not a future we want.
This month, with the support of local groups we’ll be holding events in San Antonio, TX and St. Louis, MO. Please spread the word to people you know in these areas and if you are nearby please come join us! Click here for details.
3. BRIEF NEWS UPDATES:
Smart Meter Showdown in Pagosa Springs Colorado
4. SHOP OUR ONLINE STORE- BUMPER STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE
Stop Smart Meters! has released a new large and visible bumper sticker to add to the supplies available in our online store (they will also fit on the top tube of your bike!). You can pick up a 10-pack for a special discounted price of $8.95 including shipping- why not get a pack and share stickers with your friends? Click here to browse the outreach materials available in our online store.
5. SUPPORT SSM! PLEASE DONATE OR VOLUNTEER
If you support what we do, please donate to Stop Smart Meters! today. Your donation goes directly to expand our advocacy and support of local groups. If you don’t have enough money to donate, how about volunteering? Donate here or make checks payable to: Stop Smart Meters! and send to: PO Box 682 Portola, CA 96122 — THANK YOU
Follow Stop Smart Meters! on Twitter! For the latest campaign updates and links to breaking news stories, follow us on Twitter! We are “stopsmeters.” Please retweet and encourage your friends to follow us!! Our latest tweets also appear on the upper right hand side of our website. Click here to follow us on twitter.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
