Letter to BC Hydro requesting removal of wireless smart meters
March 5th, 2012 | Blog, Vancouver, BC, BC Hydro, EMF, health, Health Canada, moratorium, smartmeter, technology, wireless
On December 18th 2011 we had 8 smartmeters installed just under the room I have been using to do my biodynamic craniosacral therapy sessions in. It is really disappointing to have these imposed on us especially after we specifically requested that they at least cable them. As my readers know I have issues with electro hypersensitivity which has slowly been improving with the GAPS diet and eating heaps of probiotics, having 8 extra wireless devices installed just under my room is not really a helpful situation at all.
These devices interfere with cellular communication is very unhelpful, both to my health and in practicing my work, which is resonating on very specific levels with my clients. The other day when I was down in the room with the smartmeters taking the above photo my heart was beating wildly and I immediately had diarreah that night, which was chronic all night until I ate yogurt in the morning. I could go on and on here, but I better not. I am posting the following letter we wrote to BC Hydro and we’ll post their response as soon as we get it:
Dear BC Hydro,
We would like to formally request that you remove all the wireless smart meters from our residence. In the time since the new meters were installed two months ago, our health has steadily deteriorated. I have been experiencing flu-like symptoms for over a month now, whereas I didn’t have a cold or flu for two years prior to this. I have also been having difficulty sleeping and concentrating. My wife has experienced increased migraines, dizziness and fatigue.
Many scientists and public officials from around the world have already expressed valid concerns as to the long term safety of wireless smart meters for humans. Recently the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) adopted a resolution calling for a halt to wireless smart meters.
Since the issue with these new meters is the type of wireless signal it emits, I suggest that you create a cabled connection with whatever terminal receives information from the meters instead. Other power companies have been able to send new demographic information from smart meters securely over power lines, so the wireless component of the meter is unnecessary.
It’s irresponsible of BC Hydro to use people as guinea pigs for new, untested and potentially dangerous technology. This is especially flagrant in light of the fact that we already requested in writing that you NOT install the wireless smart meters well in advance of the target installation date.
Please feel free to use any part of this letter when writing to BC Hydro for yourselves. Also I’d love to see other folks letters to BC Hydro so please link your letters or add them into the comments below.
I also wrote a DEMAND letter about removing my smart meter. see below:
From:
John Wintergate
Victoria, B.C.
To:
Jessica McDonald, President & CEO
And
Executive Vice-President /Transmission & Distribution
And / Or
Hugo Shaw, Senior Vice-President, Safety, Security and Emergency Management
Or
To whom it may concern:
B.C. HYDRO Energy Company
333 Dunsmuir St.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 5R3
AND ALSO TO:
Executive Vice-President /Transmission & Distribution
And / Or
The Manager of Metering Department
B.C. HYDRO Energy Company
To whom it may concern:
B.C. HYDRO Energy Company
P.O. Box 8910
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4N1
NOTICE AND DEMAND FOR REMOVAL OF ALL DIGITAL ELECTRIC METERS, RADIATION EMITTING AND SURVEILLANCE DEVICES
…………………. 2017
To B.C. HYDRO Energy Company, hereafter referred to as “UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER” and all agents, officers, employees, contractors and interested parties:
1) This Notice and Demand pertains to “UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER” and it’s electric service provided to the address:
1044 Burdett Ave., Victoria, B.C. V8V 3H1
We herewith demand that you replace this new smart meter with a normal conventional style meter within 14 days from this date:
By ……………., 2017
2) It has come to our attention that a digital electric meter, known as a
“Smart Meter” or a similar device has been installed on our property or place of residence without full disclosure to us, without our informed consent and without compliance with various laws.
3) We hereby revoke and deny any and all implied, expressed and/or recorded consent, if any exists, for the placement and operation of a Smart Meter, advanced meter, digital meter, and all other utility metering devices which emit electromagnetic radiation (herein “EMR”) due to radio frequency transmission or power line communication transmission, or that generate “dirty electricity” (line noise or power quality issues), or which “monitor” or conduct surveillance or make recordings of any events and activities within private property that we may occupy, or that may be upgraded to do any of those things.
For EXAMPLE as seen in the USA:
“Smart Meters” and digital utility meters meet the statutory definition of unlawful surveillance devices put forth as “Wiretapping” in United States Code (USC) Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 119, Sec 2511 and other State and Federal laws, and those meters are designed and intended to record personal and private events and activities within private structures and properties which constitutes violation of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, 4th Amendment guaranteeing all people to be “…secure in their persons, houses…” and to be free of “search”. No search of private property may be lawfully done without a valid, timely and ratified court order (warrant) based on probable cause or by full informed consent of the occupants. Also, because electromagnetic radiation is known to cause cancer and other diseases and injuries, installation of any meter with either an EMR transmitter, a switching mode power supply, a transformer or similar devices on a private residence without consent of the occupants and property owner constitutes Assault under United States Code Title 18, Section 113. To attempt the installation of such devices on virtually every private structure is quite clearly criminal misconduct on the part of all those associated and complicit with that attempt.
***
Is it not also seen as criminal misconduct in Canada, and if not, why NOT? For us this automatically and completely causes nullification of the usual traditional utility easement and entitles any property owner, tenant and occupant, in lawful self-defense, to remove all such devices immediately without notice, application or administrative process. This inferred criminal misconduct also eliminates any and all right of B.C. HYDRO UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER to charge any fee or penalty or prescribe any terms or conditions in relation to the property owner’s rights and actions to mitigate UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER’s violations and to protect all occupants’ health, safety and privacy.
Since criminal misconduct knowingly or unknowingly has been committed by UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER, UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has no grounds to deny continued UTILITY SERVICE in retaliation for any action a utility customer deems necessary for self defense. As we innocently act in our own self-defense against your unlawful radiation and surveillance, any act to deny or threaten to deny electric service to us is seen as a hostile, malicious and harmful act. Because we have committed no violation and no act besides self defense against your wrongdoing (knowingly or unknowingly), any interruption of our electric service is unjustified and may render the UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER liable to us for actual and punitive damages.
Be hereby advised and put on notice:
If by ………….., 2017 we have received no communication from B.C. HYDRO or if the smart meter has not be replaced by B.C. HYDRO or their agents, we will be forced to exchange the smart meter with a standard normal meter by our self, due to the continuing risks to our health.
“Smart Meters” and digital wireless utility meters emit “packetized” and/or “pulsed” electromagnetic radiation in power densities, timings and volumes known to be harmful and unsafe for exposure to humans, animals and plants, shown to be damaging and dangerous in countless published peer-reviewed scientific studies, and known to be particularly harmful to individuals classified as “electro-sensitive,” or “electro-hypersensitive” who may visit or occupy the above property. This radiation is known to cause cancer, neurological illnesses and injuries, birth defects, childhood leukemia, childhood behavioral disorders and a wide variety of other physical symptoms in any person who may be exposed. In fact, exposure to EMR can exacerbate any vulnerability and provoke injury in any biological organism. The widespread installation of digital electric meters represents reckless and inexcusable endangerment of the public and violation of rights.
REGARDING OUR PERSONAL HEALTH EXPERINCE:
During the time since this new meter has been installed, our health has been steadily affected and deteriorated. I have been experiencing flu-like symptoms for over 3 month now, whereas I didn’t have a cold or flu for several years prior to this. First we noticed slightly higher blood pressure and then a slight rash occurred. Our normal sleeping cycles are constantly being interrupted and our concentrations have lapsed increasingly since the meter was installed. My wife is also experiencing increased headaches and fatigue, while I have been experiencing intermittent dizziness since the installation.
Many top scientists, health organizations and public officials from around the world have also already expressed valid concerns as to the long term safety of wireless smart meters for human beings. Just recently the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) adopted a resolution calling for a halt to wireless smart meters.
We also see it as quite irresponsible of BC Hydro to use our population as guinea pigs for new, untested and potentially dangerous technology.
“Smart Meters,” advanced meters, radio-disabled smart meters, and digital wireless utility meters contain “switching mode power supplies” which are known to disrupt incoming current sine waves and emit “dirty electricity, ”aka”
noise on the line, ” a.k.a. “power quality issues”. These in turn cause low frequency electromagnetic fields in interior living spaces by using structural wiring as antenna. It is commonly known among electrical engineers that it is poor practice to insert a switching mode power supply at the head end of a wiring grid without power conditioning. This low frequency EMR pollution is known to cause human cancers, has been shown to be damaging and dangerous in published peer reviewed scientific studies, and is known to be particularly harmful to individuals classified as “electro-sensitive” who may visit or occupy the above property. Therefore, installation of digital electric meters is undeniably an endangerment to the public and particularly to occupants of property installed with those meters.
It really seems incredible that B.C. HYDRO UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER did not perform due diligence by determining the dangers and violations of “Smart Meters” and digital meters prior to deployment, and it is not credible that UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER does not have information on the biological hazards of electromagnetic radiation which are known to include cancers, neurological diseases and injuries, birth defects and many other symptoms, disease and injuries, so the UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER’s causing those exposures are apparently intentional and criminal, therefore, UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has no lawful right, privilege, authority or permission to place or operate a “Smart Meter” or similar device on private property without the prior fully informed and written consent of all occupants, and no right at any time to prevent or object to the removal or replacement, by any interested party, of any device emitting electromagnetic radiation if UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fails to remove the meter on the request and replace it with a safe analog meter.
Whether intentionally or out of ignorance, by installing “Smart Meters” and/or digital meters, which have the function and effects of surveillance devices and harmful radiation-emitting devices, UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has violated the rights of residential occupants, is committing harm to those occupants and has caused possible major liabilities for the property owners of the above property/address with unlawful surveillance devices and activities and emissions of potentially dangerous electromagnetic radiation in close proximity to occupants who may be vulnerable and who have not received full disclosure from UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER regarding the known health, safety and privacy hazards represented by digital electric meters. UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must show insurance and indemnification against all known and unknown potential negative effects of digital meter installations. We have not received any notice of any such insurance or indemnification and therefore UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER is failing in its obligations and responsibilities to customers, property owners and occupants.
UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has not disclosed the frequencies, volumes, power values, qualities and exposure levels of radiation the digital meters emit, and has not disclosed whether those frequencies can or cannot harm to animal, human or plant tissues, and has not disclosed at what proximities such harm could occur and has not offered any warranty, claim or indemnification against any negative effects of the meters on its customers as negative effects are known and reported regularly. Digital meters do have switching mode power supplies and transmitters, they do disrupt household current integrity and therefore must be harmful at some locations for some duration of exposure, yet no limits are disclosed by UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER in reckless disregard for the health and safety of the public.
UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER Has not disclosed or obtained consent from customers with regard to what data will be collected by its digital meters on personal and private activities on private property, where that data will be stored, who will access that data, how that data will be shared and managed, how the subjects of that data can be assured of their privacy, how utility customers can review and correct any errors, how that data will be secured, how victims of privacy invasion or mishandling of private data will be compensated and restored and how UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER claims to have gained the unconstitutional authority to record, collect, store and distribute private and personal data taken from utility customers without informed consent. Utility customers have generally not granted permission for such surveillance, nor have they been properly and fully informed of it. Even if UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER may claim to keep data “safe” which is statistically not possible, UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER itself has no consent to collect and hold personal information, so personal is not “safe” after it has been accessed and viewed by parties within UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER who have not been identified to the utility customer and have not been permitted by the utility customer to access and view that personal data.
UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER may claim a historical easement (right of access) to connect an analog meter to the electrical service of the above address for the purpose of recording and billing total electrical usage once per month. UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER DOES NOT have easement to monitor activities and events INSIDE THE HOME, and does not have easement to transmit electromagnetic radiation FROM, ON, IN AND THROUGH THE ABOVE PROPERTY, and affected parties have not knowingly or willingly granted or permitted any such easement or access and, if any such permission is presumed or claimed, all such permission is hereby denied and refused as that is invasive, unlawful, threatening to health and not necessary for utility billing. By installation or threat of installation of a digital meter UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER is in violation of its easement as of this notice and has no right, authority, privilege or consent to place or operate a “Smart Meter” or any radiation emitting or monitoring device on our property and/or place of occupancy, and all such devices must be removed immediately from our property and replaced with safe and lawful analog meters that have no capability of surveillance, emission of radiation or disruption of incoming current.
As a qualified, rightful, authorized and interested party we do hereby demand the immediate removal of all “Smart Meters”, digital meters, switching mode power supplies, radiation emitting devices and surveillance/monitoring devices from our property and place of occupancy as they violate our rights and we have full authority as property owners and/or occupants to refuse any such device without penalty, retaliation or cost to us.
Because B.C. HYDRO UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has destroyed our natural trust by installing harmful devices on our property, we now again demand that all meters or other equipment on our property that may affect ourselves, our health and our property, which may emit electromagnetic radiation or which may cause or allow data to be collected and records made of private and personal activities on our property to be removed presently and replaced by a safe meter.
A “SAFE METER” shall be defined as a non radiation-emitting meter, as the term “meter” which shall have no capability or “upgradable” capability to gather time-of-day electrical usage information from the property and have no capability or “upgradable” capability to gather and record individual instances of electrical consumption, and have no capability or “upgradable” capability to emit electromagnetic radiation.
B.C. HYDRO UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER is hereby demanded and expected, within 14 days, to remove all “Smart Meters”, digital meters and similar devices from the above property or show with conclusive evidence and a sworn statement by an identified, responsible, authorized and qualified officer of UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER that the metering devices it has placed on our property conform to the definition of “SAFE METER” as above defined.
If, within 14 days of delivery of this notice, UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fails to replace all “Smart Meters”, digital meters and similar devices as described above with a “SAFE METER” of its own choosing, we will, in lawful and rightful self defense, remove the offending meter and replace it with a safe and legally compliant meter, rated and calibrated to common metering standards and UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER will be required to calculate billing from the readings provided by that meter.
By failing to correct the problems represented above UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has lost any real or presumed authority, right, privilege or permission to impede, discourage or penalize our mitigations of it’s violations and must accept the data provided by our replacement device without recourse until such time as UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER shall replace our replacement meter with a “SAFE METER” of its own choosing, as the term “SAFE METER” is above defined.
We will record and report electric usage measurements from the meter being removed and we will return it to UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER, again, at UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER’s expense. At no time will we attempt to use power without paying for it or in any way attempt to prevent UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER from receiving fair compensation for the energy it provides.
1. If UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fails or refuses to timely comply with this demand for removal of digital meter/s as stated above we are then entitled, in lawful self defense, to damage and/or destroy any locks that may impede our removal of that digital meter, we may remove and replace the meter with an analog meter of our choosing, and we may not be held responsible for any damage to the digital meter or any related equipment upon its removal and delivery to UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER and we will return the offending meter and parts to UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER if UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER chooses to receive it. Any hesitation to accept and sign for return of UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER’s digital meter will be indication that UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has abandoned claim of that meter and its value, if any exists.
UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER is hereby placed on notice that, in the event of failure or refusal to timely (as stipulated above) comply with this demand for removal of all “Smart Meters”, we may pursue a lawful claim to be reimbursed and made whole by UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER for all costs of time, expenses, equipment, materials, services, consultations, deliveries, risks, nuisances, frustrations, medical examinations, medical treatments, losses and damages and violations of rights incurred by the effects of the digital meter and the replacement of the digital meter with a safe and lawful meter of our choosing.
2. If UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER refuses, obstructs, evades or withholds cooperation in our delivery and/or return of the removed equipment and parts, that will represent that UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has no claim or interest in those items and that the parts and equipment may be retained or discarded by us by any method and at any time of our choosing.
3. If UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fails to timely (as stipulated above) replace the offending meter with a safe and lawful analog meter, the replacement analog meter we install will be calibrated and zeroed upon installation, and within specifications for standard industry use. To assure fair and accurate billing we will include a report of the date and time of the meter replacement and the final readings on the digital meter removed and UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must then rely on the readings of the meter we provide. We are not attempting, nor do we expect to, avoid payment for any electricity at any time and UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER has no reason to allege or suspect any unlawful activity on our part.
We are making no attempt to avoid obligations to pay for electric service at any time and this Notice may not be construed to suggest or imply any such attempt and/or wrongdoing and/or breach of contract. Any contract that may exist regarding easement to maintain an electric meter on our property does not to our knowledge, and may not, provide easement for radiation emissions and surveillance or monitoring of private activities on the property without our express consent which is hereby denied.?
4. We hereby rescind and revoke any part or provision of any prior or other contract, easement, agreement and/or covenant, written, spoken, implied or presumed which may be in conflict with, or additional to, the terms, conditions and representations herein. The installation of a radiation-emitting and/or surveillance device on our property is criminal misconduct and therefore has caused UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER’s loss of right of easement. Terms of access to our property are now as follows:
a) UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must make an appointment to enter our property for any reason besides monthly readings of the simple monthly total usage number. Any unannounced entry will be criminal trespass.
b) UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must state all reasons for entry to the property prior to entry.
c) UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must secure our affirmative approval for that entry and those purposes.
d) All UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER personnel will be supervised by us while on our property.
e) If any activity takes place on our property not approved by us, law enforcement will be called with request to take UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER personnel into custody under formal allegations and complaints of criminal trespass.
5. This notice gives B.C. HYDRO UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fair notice and time to replace our meter with a safe and lawful analog meter. If UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER fails to do so timely it is endangering our health, safety and rights, and we are then entitled to any reasonable action in self-defense.
6. Utility Service Providers are known to offer “opt-out” contracts or “programs” to people who wish to not be violated. We do not seek or accept any such “opt-out” program or contract or any terms and conditions therein. UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER must cease and desist violations and has no right of negotiation, penalty or fee in return for correction of its violations of law, safety, health, rights and privacy of utility customers.
7. Any portion of this Notice found or thought to be invalid will not affect or diminish the force and power of any other portion.
This Notice and demand is issued by the following authorized property owner and/or occupant:
Notice to agent is notice to principal
Notice to principal is notice to agent
__________________________________________
John Wintergate
Dated ………………….., 2017
Hello Josh! Did anyone ever think of suing “Hydro” and “Corix” for the following:?
Threats, intimidation, harassment , undue stress related to the force of installation of these meters,
Trespassing , damaging property, scare tactics. Oh! let’s not forget the latest., consequences
for refusing the smart. meter Did I cover it all? Or did I forget a few other items. Such as
training or proper certification for the installment of these contraptions?
Let me see, Oh yes. Waiting for the property owner to leave their homes and then instal these monsters . Last but not least. Breaking and entering when you are not at home!
I would say, that some reputable lawyer would have a ball with these law breakers.
What I personally think of the smart meter? Well if there is such a demand for removal of the meter, and the very fact, that this is debated world wide ,then what is the real issue, especially for the hurry to spread these monster a.s.a.p? . The more reason for B.C.Hydro to come to the carpet and start explaining. Nobody in its right mind allows any of these meters to be installed in their homes or businesses. So remember! Power is in number. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THIS .11111
Yes I agree. There is something very insidious about this whole operation. BC Hydro has a lot of explaining and removing of smart meters to do.
I think this is their downfall, though. It will encourage people to find other ways to provide power for their homes and not have to use BC Hydro at all.
I don’t think, that we need to supply ourselves with another form of electricity, that is rather difficult.
Are we forgetting, that B.C.Hydro is a public utility. I think it is high time that B.C hydro was called on the carpet for deception and fraud. To even think of charging for the present Analogue meter if we were to keep it. I seem to remember, that a certain fraud detective with a very good reputation , considered the charging for the present analogue meter to be extortion. How much more serious can this be. WHO IS PROTECTING WHO?????? As for further investigation in to this smart meter, let it be from outside sources and not from Hydro it self., it is quite obvious that they protect their interest and not ours. SO PROTECT THAT WHICH WE STILL HAVE, IT IS CALLED DEMOCRACY THE FREEDOM TO CHOSE.
Hey,
I do not think you can expect a response from BC Hydro.
If you are truly concerned for your health, the meters can easily be swapped back to analog meters.
If you look on Youtube there are many videos providing step=by-step instruction. the meters are “blade-based” component. They snap in and out. i rcommend the videos only for informational purposes – so that you can see that meter installation is not a complicated task.
If I were in your shoes I would seek help. I am SURE if you ask around you will find an electrician who might be prepared to assist you confidentially.
It is an option to consider.
No response so far. Thanks for your comment! I posted one of the how-to-remove-smart-meters videos.
ps. check this out, at about 32 minutes for a bit of inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s62hN3-I8w
With all due respect, why are you ‘requesting’? Would you request that the purse thief please not take your bag, after he took it? Criminals do not take notice of ‘requests’, last time I checked. But they do take notice of force, or threat.
What I would recommend: lose any and all fear of repercussion, and get single-minded. Write a NOTICE of DEMAND to remove the offending devices, and put SPECIFIC CONSEQUENCES that you will enforce if they do not comply within XX days. Get every tenant there to also sign, and give their BCH account numbers as well. Give your reasons why, including a doctors note if you like, and cite the laws they are breaking, including the Privacy laws (BC and Canada). Specific consequences may be something like Appendix A: Fee Schedule on which is clearly stated, your fee schedule for non-compliance is $10,000 / day (or whatever you like). You can also use the threat of commercial liens if you like. Tell them you know of some very fearless folks who have a hunger and thirst for commercial righteousness and enjoy enforcing criminal code on corporate executives, in their individual capacity.
ALSO: inform them, in advance, that you will be sending their meter (their property) back and replacing it with an analog if they do not comply within XX days. This is key. Let them know what you will do IF THEY DO NOT ACT. Failure to respond within YOUR terms means they tacitly accept everything you state — this is commercial truth, and it stands in law.
Be fearless.
With encouragement,
Josh
Hi Josh,
Thanks for your advice.
@Josh:
You got the legal precedent to back it. If so I see a class action lawsuit….