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Stop Smart Meters! Bulletin
Vol. 15 Oct. 2013
https://stopsmartmeters.org
Contact: info@stopsmartmeters.org
PO Box 682 Portola, CA 96122
**Please Note New Postal Address**
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
-Fannie Lou Hamer (1917 – 1977), Mississippi-born Voting Rights Activist and Civil Rights Activist
CONTENTS
1. California PUC Delays Opt Out Decision. And Delays..
2. Trojan Horse Analog Meters Investigated
3. SSM! Store Now Open; New SM Warning Stickers
4. Belgium Bans Children’s Cell Phones
5. Tom Wheeler, Wireless Lobbyist- Appointed as Chair of FCC
6. Take Back Your Power Screenings Spreading
7. Support Stop Smart Meters! Make a Donation Today
1. CPUC DELAYS OPT OUT DECISION. AND DELAYS…..AND DELAYS….AND DELAYS
The current ‘opt out’ fees being charged to customers in California are interim fees, and remain in dispute, the subject of an unresolved proceeding at the CPUC. Because it’s fairly obvious to everyone involved that opt out fees do in fact violate the law, and that public opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of a free, community-wide opt out (not to mention a total recall) the only recourse the CPUC has to protect its utility family profits is the delay tactic. And that is exactly what they have done, under the corrupted and twisted leadership of Michael Peevey. Delay. And delay. And delay.
California’s experience should be a warning to other states and activists working to stop smart meters. ‘Opt outs’ are not the solution. What is? A full safety recall of a hazardous product that should never have been brought to ‘market’. Read full post: https://stopsmartmeters.org/2013/11/01/cpuc-delays-opt-out-decision-and-delays-and-delays-and-delays/
2. TROJAN HORSE ANALOG METERS INVESTIGATED
As if smart meters weren’t creepy enough, it appears that utility companies have been hiding wireless transmitters in what appear to be ‘analog’ meters, without informing the public. You might be paying hundreds of dollars a year for a meter that looks like a safe analog with a spinning disc or dials, but it is still pulsing microwave radiation (not to mention spying on your private life). Sound like a bait & switch scam? It is. Full post: https://stopsmartmeters.org/2013/10/11/trojan-horse-analog-meters-investigated/
3. SSM! STORE NOW OPEN; SMART METER WARNING STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE
Due to popular demand, Stop Smart Meters! has created warning stickers to spread awareness about the hazards of ‘smart’ meters and other wireless technology. What you don’t know CAN hurt you! By raising awareness with these visible and bold stickers, we hope to encourage people to take action to make their families and communities safer, and stand up for their rights.
The vinyl stickers are easy to peel, scratch-proof, weather-proof, sun-proof, and last outdoors for 3-5 years. Visit our new online store to purchase stickers for your community- we also have DVD copies of Take Back Your Power. Free shipping in the US. See https://stopsmartmeters.org/stop-smart-meters-online-store/
4. BELGIUM ADOPTS NEW REGULATIONS TO PROMOTE CELL PHONE SAFETY The false notion that wireless is a safe technology continues to erode around the world. Beginning in March 2014, new regulations will apply to the sale of mobile phones in Belgium. Children’s mobile phones will be banned. The specific absorption rate (SAR) for every mobile phone must be listed at the point of sale and the following warning must be provided to customers:
“Think about your health – use your mobile phone moderately, make your calls wearing an earpiece and choose a set with a lower SAR value.”
A similar law introduced by the City of San Francisco was withdrawn after legal threats by the wireless industry, who are fighting tooth and nail to hide the fact that their products are killing people and harming the environment. For more information: http://www.prlog.org/12231532
5. TOM WHEELER- WIRELESS LOBBYIST- NOW FCC CHAIR
From Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D. Director, Center for Family and Community Health, University of California, Berkeley: ‘The Senate has confirmed Tom Wheeler’s nomination to be the next chair of the Federal Communications Commission.
The appointment of Mr. Wheeler at this time is particularly troubling because the FCC is under pressure from the industry to change the cell phone radiation limits in the U.S. to the international limits which provide less protection to cell phone users. However, the toxicologic and epidemiologic research now strongly suggests that the current radiation limits are inadequate and must be strengthened, not weakened.
A wireless industry publication alleged that Mr. Wheeler suppressed and biased the research from the nation’s largest mobile phone health research project.’ More info: http://bit.ly/11nxaGT
6. SCREENINGS OF TAKE BACK YOUR POWER SPREADING
The documentary film investigating the problems with the ‘smart’ grid, Take Back Your Power, continues to increase its influence as the buzz about the film spreads. Recently, the city of Eugene, OR cancelled widespread deployment plans, adopting an ‘opt in’ approach after community outrage followed community screenings of the film. You can now view the film online for $2.99 or buy copies on DVD through our new store. Even better though- hold a screening in your community. Screenings provide a venue for community discussion following the film, and for organizing. Don’t let this opportunity to educate your community pass by. See a list of scheduled screenings and find out more about organizing a TBYP screening where you live. Thanks to Josh del Sol and the TBYP team for bringing to the screen such an important film. Now it’s up to you: Take Back Your Power!
7. VOLUNTEER OR DONATE! –SUPPORT STOP SMART METERS!
If you are able to contribute to keeping this operation going with even a small donation, we thank you! See: https://stopsmartmeters.org/donate If you have some time to spare and a special talent you want to use to help spread awareness about this critical issue, please contact us at info@stopsmartmeters.org. If you need support or advice about organizing against ‘smart’ meters where you live, please contact us.
STOP SMART METERS! ON TWITTER! NOT FACEBOOK
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. We are not on Facebook. See: https://twitter.com/stopsmeters
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
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