Smart Meters face radiation and fire hazard issues while failing to properly monitor electrical usage.
Sedona AZ (May 31, 2013) – In a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor, a concerned Arizona citizen offers an easy How-to Opt Out of APS Smart Meters guide:
“This is a time sensitive action alert,” writes Sedona resident Nancy Baer. “It is imperative that you notify APS before June 28, 2013, no smart meter installation will be allowed on your property, and the sooner the better,” she adds.
Want to share your smart meter opt out knowledge and opinions? Baer asks that you consider sharing the How-to information in your HOA newsletters, on social network sites like Facebook and Linked In, with your elected and appointed local and state representatives and commissions, with neighbors, co-workers, doctors, service providers, churches, and or businesses. As Baer writes, “It may be the only way they find out!”
To opt out, follow Baer’s easy How-to Protect Yourself From APS Smart Meters guide below:
- Send a certified/return receipt requested notice to APS via U.S. mail (see sample) and keep a copy w/ receipt in your files. Send to: APS – Arizona Public Services, P.O. Box 53933, Sta. 3200, Phoenix, AZ 85072-3933
– or –
- Call APS at 800-253-9405 – keeping a record of the time you called and the person you spoke with! Expect the staff person to attempt to persuade you to not ‘opt out’ by telling a multitude of falsehoods including huge extra fees for opting out. This is a ruse. NO FEES HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE ACC AT THIS TIME. So don’t fall for the bamboozle. Assert yourself. Demand no “smart” or digital meter.
Public Comment
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) needs to hear from as many people as possible as soon as possible. You can submit up to a 1,000 word comment about any aspect of ‘smart’ meters to the ACC by going to the ACC website, www.azcc.gov, and clicking on the PUBIC COMMENT button in the lower left hand corner of the homepage.
Additionally, email addresses for the individual commissioners can be found at the “Contact Us” page.
Persons wishing to send a letter may send to this address: Arizona Corporation Commission, Commissioners Wing, 1200 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007-2996
Contribute to the Docket
To be certain your comments are submitted to the docket and become part of the public record, follow the Arizona Corporation Commission docketing procedures by clicking on “more…” under “I want to …” at the ACC homepage. Then click on “Submit a filing to Docket Control”.
How to access and read the Docket
At the ACC homepage, click on the e-docket button at the bottom right hand corner. Put docket number 11-0328 in the upper right hand corner “search” field.
Tell your friends and neighbors. It may be the only way they will find out. Visit SedonaSmartMeterAwareness.com and the SedonaEye.com website (use search words Smart Meters) for articles and information on the subject.
For the best free Arizona News and Views? Subscribe to www.SedonaEye.com today.
Life has no remote. One needs to get up and change it oneself.
MAINE PUC STAFF RECOMMMENDS AUDIT of CMP smart-meter program
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2013/06/01/maine-puc-staff-recommends-audit-cmp-smart-meter-p/1372611
Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor
Maine |
Friday, May 31, 2013
A draft order of the Maine Public Utilities Commission issued Friday is calling for an audit of Central Maine Power Co.’s smart meter program to determine why the program, which was expected to save CMP $25 million over next 20 years will now cost it $99 million. This smart meter in Lewiston is among the approximately 615,000 that CMP installed on customer’s homes around Maine.
Prepared by PUC staff, the order must be approved by a vote of the commission. It outlines concerns that the power company’s efforts to modernize its power grid by installing so-called smart meters will cost the company an estimated $99 million.
The PUC first approved CMP’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure project in 2011 under the premise that the new meters, which can be monitored remotely, would save the company an estimated $25 million over 20 years.
That new estimated cost is one of the reasons CMP is asking the PUC to approve a rate increase for customers to whom it delivers power. The rate increase would add about $2 to the average CMP bill. The company has said it needs the increase to help cover the costs of the installation of 615,000 smart meters.
The meter upgrade was approved by the PUC because 50 percent of the project’s estimated installation costs were to be paid with U.S. Department of Energy grants aimed at improving grid reliability.
Harry Lanphear, a spokesman for the PUC, said if the commission votes to approve the audit, a third party would be hired to conduct it, as required by state law.
Lanphear said the deadline is June 6 for comments from those who would be affected by the draft order or others with interest in the case.
Barring any significant comment being filed, Lanphear said he expected the commission to decide on the audit later in June.
“This shift from a net ratepayer benefit at the time (the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project) was authorized to a substantial net increase in costs now that the project has been completed and CMP is seeking to reflect it in its rate is of great concern to the Commission,” the draft order notes.
Lanphear confirmed that the commission in its audit would attempt to determine how a program that was approved because it would save money had instead cost substantial amounts and was the impetus for a rate hike.
Attempts to reach Central Maine Power’s public relations spokesman were unsuccessful Friday.
Opponents of the smart meter program say the radio frequency the meters emit causes insomnia, headaches and a host of other health issues. One opponent said Friday he was skeptical the PUC would order the audit.
“I’m taking bets on whether the PUC will grant CMP a rate increase as per usual despite all of the problems. I say yes, and hope I’m wrong,'” Ed Friedman, an intervenor in the case and an organizer with the Maine Coalition to End Smart Meters said in a prepared statement.
sthistle@sunjournal.com
We opted out just by calling the local office. They put it on our account after verifying it was us requesting it. Guy didn’t sound too friendly but he wasn’t rude. Thought you might like to know. It’s a local number not the 800 number and in the phone book under APS.
Liked this article on Facebook.
Just another way for the corporations to make more Corporate Profits and and not give one thought to the public at large.
I really feel sorry for those meter readers who might be losing good jobs in an economy where things are already so unstable.
Too bad the “Power” companies don’t seem to realize that it’s going to affect them too and their children and animals and the elderly.
Everyone will just be “Beaming” with De-“Light” if the corporations get their way.
I wish we could overturn the “surcharge” for using a regular meter. It’s a form of robbery!
I already have one. How do I get APS to remove it?
@ Alice – You call APS and tell them to. Some calls go smoothly. Others may be considered assertiveness training. 800-253-9405