Green councillor Adriane Carr’s motion calls for citywide smart meter “opt out options”

Actually, installation isn't currently mandatory but the Corix installers won't tell you that. I wasn't home when they came calling but my duplex neighbor was. They told him "it's the law" and he shrugged and said go ahead. So now he has a smart meter. He told them how opposed I was to the SM and they left a hanger on my doorknob. I phoned the number on the hanger and told them in a message that I was completely opposed to SM installation. I got a message back a few days later, saying they would not install a meter at this time and would not "without consultation and permission" I think is how it went.

That was in January. I have my analog meter next to my neighbor's smart meter (just like in the picture) and I'm pretty hopeful with all the hullabaloo raised since then, that I will be able to successfully refuse a meter permanently. Thanks to Adrianne Carr for her motion. I sure hope it passes!

Sorry, Ms. Carr, but this is 180 degrees from what the "Green" position should be.

Smart Metersare an example of applying good science to reduce overall consumption of a finite resource through analysis of resource use. More than 100 years of research has shown that low-level exposure to the type of radio signal transmitted by the Smart Meters poses no health risk, yet the potential economic and environmental benefits of an integrated smart grid are tested, confirmed, and tangible.

the Greens, if they want to be the champions of science-based sustainability, need to get behind programs like this and not be swayed by the (frankly bizarre) anti-science campaigns against responsible resource management.

Utility customers around the world are fighting against installation of smart meters, especially wireless, for the same reasons:
- cost
- health
- higher utility bills
- privacy
- safety
- security

Sometimes, their utility commissions listen to the customers and help them. Sometimes they do not. Sometimes their MLA's/MP's/State Senators listen to their constituents and help them. Sometimes they do not. Legal cases are being pursued in many provinces, states, and countries.

It all boils down to democracy: people making their own choices, not being mandated by governments and big business telling them what is "good for them".

Opt-outs are happening here:
- Quebec
- Netherlands
- UK (United Kingdom)
- USA (California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Vermont)

And the State of Victoria, Australia is demanding a Moratorium because of smart meter explosions and fires.

But realize that even if someone opts out of a smart meter, they will still be exposed and bombarded by RF (EMR) 24/7, 360 degrees from all smart meters in the vicinity. Wi-Max to be used in rural areas is particularly strong so as to provide coverage over rough topography, through mountains, trees, plants, and buildings.

Governments are allowing utilities to use world citizens as guinea pigs in a huge experiment. Here is an interesting video:

We Are EMR Guinea Pigs by minivanjack - YouTube - April 02, 2012:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i2uXhKLFys&feature=player_embedded
A global "Smart Grid" program is being implemented which is blasting homes and businesses with more electromagnetic radiation than human beings have ever been subject to in human history. It is utterly preposterous to assume this will not lead to major human epidemics.

We must now face the very serious problem that the institutions, government, corporations and foundations, that are supposed to be serving our interests are deliberately violating, exploiting and endangering us.

This video exposes electromagnetic radiation (EMR) as a major danger and violation to all current and future generations.

Sponsored by FreedomTaker (d'o't'c'o'm)

Utilities tell their customers that smart meters will save them money.

If you spend millions of dollars to purchase smart meters, millions of dollars to provide "security" of data, and then customers' bills double, triple, or quadruple ... this is NOT saving money for the customer.

Who's doing this math? Oh, right ... the Utilities.

Customers are paying millions and millions of dollars for a program they don't need or want. Utilities are pocketing millions and millions of dollars from outrageously high bills.

Customers are NOT saving money. They will now have to choose between paying the rent, buying groceries, or paying the utility bills. It's called FUEL POVERTY.

Gas and water smart meters are next.

Time-of-use billing is sure to come. And for those that opt out of smart meters, well, Hydro will just charge a constant higher rate because they can't determine if power is being consumed during peak load or not.

Seriously people, this isn't like internet service, where they can just install a bit more hardware to meet demand. Rivers will be damned and coal will be burned to meet the peak demand if time-of-use billing is not implemented. Hydro just doesn't have the guts to say this outright.

Oh give this anti-smart meter waste of time a rest!


The advances over the old meters for Hydro to manage, and for homeowners to monitor the power usage is space age vs stone age.


Better management = less usage = less waste and GHG's.


Privacy is improved, as the new meters send usage info out over wifi - WAY more private than having a hydro employee pull up in their truck ( GHG's again), and walk through my yard to read my meter.


You get more exposure to wifi / cell / microwave signals going for a walk down an urban street than your smart meter will ever produce between now and the end of any of our lives.


This whole opposition is simply a political move to oppose for opposition's sake, using fear, and false statements to give ambitious people a platform.


It's time to get off this "Flat Earth Bandwagon", and turn attention to issues with REAL impact.

Those touting "science" as supporting the benefits of "smart" meters haven't done their homework. There is nothing scientific about wasting one billion dollars replacing perfectly working technology with overly complex, vulnerable to hacking, flaky, cheaply made in China to benefit the manufacturers and a few corporate insiders, shorter lifespan, "smart" meters. This is corporatism run amok, nothing else. If you want to conserve energy, it's simple, turn off appliances. If you want to encourage conservation of energy, do so, but a "smart" meter has no part in it. If you really think you need a $550 "smart" meter to tell you that when you turn off a 100 watt light bulb, you save a 100 watts, then go buy a $50 or less energy monitor. It will do more than any "smart" meter. The "smart" meter is a control device, allowing remote shutoff for non-payment of bill, or to sell electricity to the highest bidder, which may not be you. It is also an emitter of microwave energy, which peer reviewed science has proven to be detrimental to health in many ways, contrary to the misinformed assertions of posters above. The IARC/WHO declared electromagnetic radiation to be a Class 2B carcinogen, like DDT, methylmercury and asbestos. Science was the basis for that classification and it is not done lightly. Nothing that has been classified as 2B has ever been removed from the list. It has only moved up to 2A or 1 as more science comes in as evidence of harm. No corporation should have the ability to install a carcinogen on a person's home without his permission. What if they wanted to install mercury fountains in your living rooms? Would that be acceptable? Of course not, but a similar offense is occurring right now with "smart" meters.

The way people oppose "time of use" billing makes one think those people belief electricity just comes out of the wall.

We are way overdue in North America to put the REAL price on things we constantly use, be it water, gas or electricity, all of these things have a hidden cost that currently is absorbed by society at large.

Bring them on, bring in tiered pricing and simply have those pay more that use more.

Another vote seeking politician latching on to the paranoia of the uneducated. This whole issue is so ludicrous, and what makes it even more ludicrous is that a small vocal minority is once again trying to cram their bizarre views on the rest of our throats. Don't you all think it's time to move on to the next cause du jour? Isn't there a logging road somewhere you can blockade?

Smart Meters emit tiny radio signals which are picked up by sensitive receivers located nearby. These signals do not penetrate the skin and therefore cannot cause physical harm of any kind to anyone, no matter how close or prolonged exposure may be. The only documented harm is psychological -- caused not by the radio signals but worry over them. The creeps stirring up fear of Smart Meters should be thrown in jail.