Smart Meters and Grids

It is the plan of power and energy authorities worldwide to replace current disk-style (analogue) hydro, gas and water meters with digital "Smart Meters."  These are wireless devices that use radiofrequency waves to monitor use and transmit information about each household's consumption.  They are being enthusiastically promoted by governments and industry as a "green initiative," supposedly enabling utility companies to efficiently monitor consumption during peak and "down" times, and encourage wise use of energy and resources. The vision is that these "Smart Meters" will operate within a wider ranging "Smart Grid."

The information-carrying radio waves, transmitting 24/7, will effectively blanket homes and neighbourhoods with radiation that could adversely affect not just humans but all living systems. In particular, these meters have the potential to affect not only electrohypersensitive persons, but children and pregnant women, persons with medical conditions such as heart arrhythmia, those with compromised immune systems, and others who rely on medical and/or metal implants or equipment.  In addition to health concerns, Smart Meters bring with them questions about fire and security hazards.

The costs of installing the new digital wireless meters is substantial, their accuracy is debatable, and there is much controversy as to whether or not the readings serve to decrease power use, or simply to increase power costs to consumers. Government employees who now read the disk-style meters total approximately 400 men and women in the province of British Columbia alone. Digital Smart Meters will effectively eliminate these jobs.