You may “opt out” of a digital electric meter
An opinion column by Frederick Sinclair
Employees of a private company, hired by your electricity provider, are being deployed to come to your property and change the electric meter on your home, rental property or place of business. This will not always be done by consulting with you or asking your permission. The meter, they will be attempting to switch to , is a digital microwave frequency transmitting device, cleverly named Smart Meter. The public utility hype is that these meters are of benefit to you and facilitate management of the electric grid. This is a half truth. Nationwide, in locations where these digital transmitters have already been deployed, the health and safety of consumers is being negatively impacted by the hidden half lie. Consumers in NYS have the option to ‘Opt-Out’ of Smart Meters and keeping their mechanical meters (rotating wheel and dials). You have to call your electricity provider (service # on your bill) and inform them you want to keep your mechanical meter and do not want a digital meter installed. Be sure to also get the contact information from them and call off the installer.
This may seem like a pain in the neck, but it is in fact protection of your health, safety, electricity costs, and security. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider to ‘Opt-Out’:
- Digital meters emit strong bursts of radiation into your home and that of your neighbor. These bursts threaten your health and cause dirty electricity in wiring which poses additional threats.
- Thousands of independent, government and peer reviewed scientific studied show the radio frequency radiation emitted by digital Smart Meters can cause biological harm. see americansforresponsibletech.org
- No federal agency has declared Smart Meters as safe.
- Reports of harm include tinnitus, headaches, dizziness, nausea, heart irregularities, insomnia, brain fog and other symptoms from exposure to the microwave radiation.
- Digital meters collect and transmit information that can be used to identify personal habits, schedules and preferences.
- There are no NYS regulations protecting your data and the threat of data breaches and use for surveillance is increased.
- Your electrical system access and usage will be controlled remotely and will become vulnerable to hacking by unauthorized entities.
- Smart Meters lack surge arresters and circuit breakers, creating hazards to wiring and increasing the risk of fire. The old meter has these protections.
- Thousands of digital meters have been recalled by utilities for faulty performance, risk of fire and explosion.
- Your usage will be constantly monitored and many are complaining of increased bills that will likely exceed any penalty the utility says they will charge for “Opt- Out’ of a Smart Meter.
New York State Senator Pete Harckam and Assemblyman Steve Otis have introduced landmark legislation, Senate S5632-A and Assembly A9148A, that will allow all utility consumers in NY State to ‘Opt-Out’ of the installation of digital meters with no penalty and no cost, including the ability to request replacement of digital meters that have previously been installed. The Americans for Responsible Technology (ART) website has extensive information on the Smart Meter legislation and provides talking points for use in asking your state senator and assemblyman to support the legislation. The ART site has also compiled a comprehensive index of peer reviewed and published scientific studies from around the world concerning the biological effects of microwave radiation. see www.americansforresponsibletech.org
This is the perfect opportunity to get informed about and take action to protect your home and quality of life. Alert your neighbors about how the microwaves from these meters penetrate your home and theirs next door. If you own an apartment building with multiple meters the negative impacts are seriously multiplied. If you have questions or want help getting the word out, contact me at fpsinclair@yahoo.com. I can mail you free brochures and notices, to halt switchover, that you put on the existing mechanical meter. Call your electricity provider. It’s about knowing before you decide and informed consent.
(Frederick Sinclair writes opinion columns for the Sun)
