Texans Against Smart Meters

Update on SB 241

smartmeter — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:36:01 +0000

It is looking more like SB 241 (smart meter opt out) will be heard on Monday. The bill has been pushed back as the votes are not there yet. It is absolutely imperative that you continue to call and email your senator’s office for continued support. We also need the support of Senator Birdwell and / or Senator Seliger from Amarillo. Both of these Senators are resisting to support this bill. I know that there are groups in both of these areas that need to come alive and ignite their memberships over the weekend. When you call these offices please be courteous. Also let your friends, family, and loved ones inside of these districts (Amarillo area and Waco) know what is going on and tell them to WAKE UP!

Keep the faith!

DC Councilmembers Want Opt Out for Smart Meters

smartmeter — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:55:43 +0000

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/22264532/dc-councilmembers-want-opt-out-for-smart-meters#axzz2TW9jT1jF

WASHINGTON -

Smart electricity meters are raising new concerns in the District. These “smart meters” let Pepco read your meter wirelessly. But earlier this week, a FOX 5 investigation revealed a wide range of potential problems.

Pepco has installed the meters at 270,000 homes and businesses in the District, but some D.C. councilmembers are now saying not so fast.

Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) introduced legislation Tuesday that could allow people in the District to opt-out if they don’t want a smart meter.

The new devices eliminate the need for a meter reader and sends the information directly back to the utility wirelessly. McDuffie says he has received calls and complaints from people worried about the devices.

“They’re concerned about their health, their safety and the privacy associated with smart meters,” McDuffie said.

Those are the same issues raised in a FOX 5 investigation. Opponents across the country have pointed to hundreds of fires linked to smart meters or cases where the meters got so hot they melted.

The devices also use wireless signals to send information back to the utility. The radio frequency used is similar to a cell phone and do emit burst of radiation. Pepco told FOX 5 its meters are well within government standards.

“Our meters are actually communicating at very low level, very low power, and this is so low, it’s dramatically below cell phones, cordless phones, baby monitors,” said Pepco spokesperson Marcus Beal.

Pepco began installing the meters in 2010 as part of a federal push to upgrade the power grid. It is now 99 percent complete in the District, meaning just about every home, business, apartment and condo building already has them.

The utility says it has not had any fires in Maryland or the District, but did report at least 15 cases of overheating.

McDuffie held oversight hearings into the concerns and the DC Office of the People’s Counsel asked the Public Service Commission in 2012 to look at the feasibility of an opt-out. Several states nationwide have given customers that option, including Maryland.

However the District’s PSC decided it did not have the statutory authority. McDuffie’s legislation, “The Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation and Cost Recovery Authorization Amendment Act of 2013,” changes that. It directs the PSC to provide an opt out and to determine other options and fees the utility may charge.

“It really boils down to offering customers an option to opt out if they so choose,” he said.

Opponents also argue that the meters pose a risk to privacy. A congressional report last year raised questions about privacy and cybersecurity. Hackers have already proven smart meters can be compromised, leaving the entire power grid vulnerable to attacks and blackouts. At the least, a criminal could use the hourly information on usage to determine when you’re not home.

“It’s a phenomenally powerful surveillance device as well as a tremendously powerful radiation emitter,” cautioned Jonathan Libber, head of Maryland Smart Meter Awareness.

Pepco has heard the same concerns and has reassured customers they are safe and secure.

“RF is safe. The cybersecurity concerns — we have taken the appropriate measures. Data privacy — we take that seriously. We protect your information,” Beal said.

McDuffie though believes District customers should have a choice, given the concerns raised. The legislation would give the PSC 120 days to come up with guidelines for how an opt-out program would work. It would also allow the utility to recover the cost of operating a redundant system for those who don’t want smart meters.

A number of states charge customers a monthly fee to opt out. It ranges from $5 upwards to $15 in some states, on top of an initial fee that is usually $50 or higher.

“Ultimately I hope that the cost, whatever it is, is going to be fair,” said McDuffie. “We know that other jurisdictions offer an opt out and the fee ranges across jurisdictions. What we want to ultimately have here in the District of Columbia is to make sure it’s a fair price when it comes to opting out, particularly to our residents and seniors who are on fixed incomes.”

Refusal of Smart Meters is Now a Choice Due to Citizen Proposition: Plan of Action to Win At Local Level!

smartmeter — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:46:08 +0000

GREAT NEWS! In Brady, Texas – Proposition 27 WON! This allows utility customers to refuse installation or request removal of any product or service you deem harmful to your person, property or privacy at not charge for removal or future surcharge and utilities must be replaced back to prior condition. The people of Brady did this using 9.004 Texas Local Government Code – This is a not only a huge win for Brady, but all of TEXAS! WE CAN BEAT THESE METERS! The people spoke strongly in favor of this choice: 567 to 209 Sheila Hemphill was instrumental in getting these propositions on the ballot.

Every proposition that preserved our Constitutional rights-WON! Our sovereignty over our homes – WON! For interested parties, you need to find out when your City Charter can be revised, how many registered voters you have – it takes 5% or 20,000 whichever is less, that’s just 100 locations getting 200 signatures – no big deal. Stay tuned, may see if we can get a conference call together for interested parties!

INABILITY TO PURCHASE ELECTRICITY OUTSIDE OF TEXAS IS A MYTH IN SB 241

smartmeter — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:04:33 +0000

We have been able to buy and sell electricity from markets outside of the state of Texas and even from Mexico during times of increased demand for electricity. SB 241 would not change the ability to buy and sell electricity during peak demands. Maintaining our Grid Independence doesn’t mean we won’t be dealing with other states or other countries. In fact, if we have such a deficit of energy production, why are we proposing to sell to Mexico wholesale by 2014?

The real matter is that smart meters are a means to commoditize energy, and this is driving the energy companies and the insiders nuts that “we the people” are showing resistance. We know the truth that this is also about redistribution of wealth to poorer countries and other markets without directly dipping into our pockets, while lining the pockets of energy executives with big payoffs.

In fact, why don’t we use the 500 million that these energy companies are sitting on because of the federal income tax charges to the consumers that they are collecting and retaining be used to retrofit people’s meters with analogues at no cost per the bill thus taking care of the concern that the taxpayers will be footing the bill.

We can handle any objection that the senate or any legislator has for WE TEXANS regarding smart meters, so bring it on!

Texas Senators: Oncor is Not Telling the Truth and They Are Using Industry and Business AGAINST the Citizens!!!

smartmeter — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:58:06 +0000

Texas Senators:

Oncor is not telling the truth and they are using their employees and the Chamber of Commerce to pit INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS AGAINST CITIZENS! THIS IS SO WRONG! Read the emails below and see how they are doing this.

Mr. ……,

I received this email from the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce but I do not approve that this was sent to the chamber members. I want you to see this email. I called the Chamber this morning and found out that Buddy Bridges in on the board for the chamber and works for Oncor.

Please notice the statement at the bottom; advising members to call

the senator and VOTE NO on SB241.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxx

Principal Broker

xxxxxxxxxx

817-xxx-xxxx

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: ACTION REQUIRED: Oncor-SB241, Smart Meters
From: Admin For e-mail <info@grandprairiechamber.org>
Date: Wed, May 08, 2013 1:06 pm
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Chamber Members,

Our role as a chamber is to inform and educate the business community of legislative issues that arise. It is then up to you to determine your position on the issue and let your voice be heard..

Oncor, has asked us to send this information to inform the business community about the SB 241 as it relates to advanced meters.

Per Oncor:

As early as today, we expect that the 31-member Texas Senate will vote on SB 241, which would:

Give all customers the ability to opt-out of advanced meters with no charge to them

This would:

Unfairly increase the costs for all of our customers by requiring utilities to provide a free opt-out of advanced meters.

Set a very bad precedence for consumers being able to say no to other pure infrastructure modernization initiatives in other utility areas such as water or gas utility services.
Impede the ability of the PUC to complete its ongoing rulemaking that is currently considering these issues

Phone calls to the Austin office of Senator’s representing Grand Prairie would be appreciated by Chamber Members. The main thing to do when calling is to say that you are opposed to SB 241 and verify that you are a constituent of the individual Senator that you are contacting. Those are the two most important points you can make.

For phone number/fax/address information for all state senators: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/senmem.htm

To view the SB241, Please Click Here
For a customizable draft letter, Please Click Here

This email was sent on behalf of Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce by ChamberMaster, 24400 Smiley RD Ste. 4, Nisswa, MN 56468.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or ChamberMaster services in general, please contact us by email at support@chambermaster.com.

ChamberMaster is a registered trademark of MicroNet Incorporated.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, vote yes for SB241 to give citizens a voice and choice. Make the utilities pay for the business decision they made to bet the farm on smart meters. Even though the utilities will incur some expense for retrofitting their back office systems to accommodate non-smart meter customers, it will NOT BE BECAUSE OF A METER READER!!! THEY KNOW IT AND WE KNOW IT. Furthermore, Oncor has plenty of money in their “Rainy Day” fund. Remember they have been charging us a federal income tax fee and not paying it to the IRS? Oncor spokesman Chris Schein said the money not used for federal taxes is, instead, used to lower operating expenses that ultimately keeps rates down. (That is $500 million they have collected and are earning tax free interest on!) And don’t forget the $82M that gave out in bonuses last November to 51 executives. This company does not need my money.

URGENT: Call to Action!

smartmeter — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:15:41 +0000

Action #1

Please call Lt. Governor Dewhurst NOW! 512-463-0001 Ask for his comments line as he listens to it EVERY day!

Let him know that we want a vote on the substitute bill authored by Senator John Carona!

Lt. Governor’s DIRECT Line is 512-463-5342

Action #2

Please call you senator AGAIN! (Click to find out who your senator is!) Let them know that we EXPECT a YES vote on SB 241, which is the SMART METER OPT-OUT bill submitted by Senator John Carona, which includes language for:

a NO FEE Opt-Out
Texas Grid Independence (NO GRID CONNECTION to any other grid (ERCOT AREA)!

ASK your Senator to vote for SB 241 AS SUBSTITUTED, with NO AMENDMENTS!

Talking Points

Please read over the talking points & pick a couple to make your point about. Then do Action # 1 & # 2 above. Try to get a Yes or No. You can also go to their page & send an email contact. Many times you can get an email response!

Please share any info you get from your Senator as to where they stand on the issue either on the FB page or direct to me at patriotshar@att.net.

We Really need to know how many YES votes we can get commitments for as WE NEED 21 for the vote to get called to the floor!

EVERYONE please share this with all you KNOW. This issue is really URGENT!!! We want to get a call asking to “please stop the calls” AGAIN!

Thank you all so much for taking ACTION on this URGENT issue!

Urgent Action Needed! SB241 Makes It Out of Committee

smartmeter — Sat, 04 May 2013 03:14:08 +0000

By the grace of God, SB241 makes a miraculous comeback with the national spotlight on the Lone Star State! Thanks to all of your calls and efforts of “We the People!”, SB241 makes it out of committee. Now we need your help yet again, and we will surely be calling on you a couple more times during this crucial end of this legislative session.

What we need is Bipartisan support for this bill from 21 senators in total. The vote could potentially happen early next week, and if the Lieutenant Governor feels that the votes are there, it will go to the floor for a vote. Please call your senator and encourage people from both sides of the aisle in all districts to do the same. (Click to find out who your senator is!)

Talking points for SB241:

Vote in favor of SB241 because the bill gives me the right to choose whether or not I have a monitoring and control computer on the side of my house. By enabling me to remove the smart meter, the bill allows me to keep my lifestyle choices (how I use my electricity) private and secure from others who have no business knowing or controlling what I do in my own home. Regarding the speculated cost of the opt-out provision, this bill recognizes that charging consumers to pay extra not to participate in a non-mandatory program whose benefits do not outweigh the risks nor the increased costs is irrational and irresponsible. Paying extra to protect one’s Health or privacy or security of personal information is unjustified. This bill protects Texas’ grid independence; maintaining Texas’ sovereignty over our natural resources is paramount and nonpartisan. By establishing a joint legislative study committee, this bill also recognizes the lack of consideration given to the potential for very serious negative health effects associated with electromagnetic frequencies.

Finally, can we count on Senator___________’s support for the bill as it is written? Do you think the senator will want to add an amendment? If so, what and why? Is there any influence that might change the senator’s vote? If so, will you call me back to discuss it?

Special Pre-Release Screening of Take Back Your Power: “Smart” Meter Agenda Unveiled in Dallas

smartmeter — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:43:30 +0000

Take Back Your Power: The “Smart” Meter Agenda Unveiled

Special Pre-Release Screening

Friday, May 3, 2013, 7:00 – 9:30 pm

Fellowship Bible Church Dallas

9330 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231

http://fellowshipdallas.org/contact/

This eye-opening documentary feature film investigates the “smart” meter program currently being implemented worldwide by most of the major utility companies. These devices are being installed often without the consent – and sometimes against the protests – of property owners. The film uncovers alarming issues about health, privacy, property rights, corporate fraud, and the unprecedented vulnerability of the “smart” grid. Hear from such experts as Bill Vander Zalm (former Premier of British Columbia, CA), Dr. David O. Carpenter (Director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at University at Albany), B. Blake Levitt (an award-winning science journalist), and many others. You will gain a deeper understanding of the political and economic forces behind the “smart meter” agenda, as well as resources and proven solutions for how you can protect yourself, your family, your home, and your rights.

The 90-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion.

Admission is free but donations are requested to help cover the room rental and support the worldwide release of the film.

Hosted by:

Grassroots Texans Network

Park Cities/Preston Hollow Tea Party

Carrollton Tea Party

(For information, contact Beth Biesel at ncriver@me.com, 214.691.4180)

More to the Dark Side of Smart Meters

smartmeter — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:33:14 +0000

Just in case you were not aware of the dark side of smart meters and their information gathering capabilities!

What is Data Fusion?
We live in a digital age with pockets of data accumulated by nearly every entity we touch. Data fusion is the science of combining data from all of these disparate sources in order to achieve inferences. The result is that fused data is more informative, more valuable, and provides significant insight to current and future behaviors.

What is Data Aggregation?
Data aggregation is the process of combining multiple databases to get a more comprehensive profile of an individual or company.
GridGlo^® solutions are created by applying proprietary algorithms and
data fusion processes to disparate data sources.

http://www.gridglo.com/datafusion.html

This is an older article on consumer profiling and is probably worthy of looking into. I’ll update you when I do. In the meantime, here it is. Please let me know if you uncover more information

http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/11/gridglo-seedround-cubrc/

These folks “focus strictly on helping the utilities…..” They can tell a utility if their customers are married, have kids, size of house, whether or not they’ve had the same job for how many years, etc….”

Excerpt:

Smart Meters May Emit Radiation More Frequently than Pepco Admits – WUSA9 News Story

smartmeter — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:04:26 +0000