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Smart meters not safe, green

After much research, the evidence is conclusive. Smart meters and their billing program make no sense.

To the Editor,

Re: Smart meters make sense, Opinion, Aug. 13.

After much research, the evidence is conclusive. Smart meters and their billing program make no sense, have no redeeming value to consumers and expose significant reasons to reject the entire program.

There are health/safety issues that affect everyone, not just electro-sensitive individuals. Many in the Toronto area are writing in about how sick they have become since smart meters were installed.

There are security/privacy and interference issues. Wireless signals can easily be hacked into, leaving householders vulnerable to anyone monitoring for resident activity or absence. And they can interfere with pacemakers and security alarms.

Economically, 3,000 workers lose their jobs. Installation costs alone – paid by B.C. taxpayers – are estimated at $1 billion – followed by predictable, increased charges for users.

Ontario Energy Board’s Smart Meter Initiative writes: “With time-of-use pricing, the kW/h rate will vary depending on the time of day, day of the week and month of the year.”

Can B.C. residents become seasonal, nocturnal conservationists and only use air conditioning (or heating), TVs, computers, water heaters and stoves after 10 p.m.?

Ontario MP Randy Hiller discovered local rates doubled and in 8,000 cases, tripled. But when over billing reflects smart meter failure to ‘signal’ correct usage, it’s not Hydro’s problem. It has no explanation for anomalous spikes or faulty transmissions that can compute double the actual usage. So, who benefits? This list is long but does not include household Hydro users. Who promises smart meters are a safe, green initiative? Only those trying to sell the illusion.

Clyde Kaufman

Nanaimo