Opposing BC Hydro's Smart Meters
Opponents to BC Hydro's smart meters are attempting to become the newest group to overthrow a government decision. While it may be more noise than reality, one has to ask if we've gone too far.
Government opponents are a pretty heady bunch these days, what with the overthrowing of the HST and the ousting of former Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell.
Flush with victory, the anti-government forces are now taking aim at smart meters, those electricity-usage monitoring devices that BC Hydro is installing in the homes and businesses of 1.8 million customers.
Fearing a cash grab by BC Hydro, a government Crown Corporation, possible health hazards from wireless radiation, and privacy concerns, opponents have already enlisted a clutch of municipalities on their side, and are getting plenty of press to further their cause.
Of course, their concerns are groundless. BC Hydro, while a regulated utility, is still a semi-private business, and not an arm of government. The health hazards are based more on fear than reality. (Noise about the health hazards of wireless is probably coming from people who have cell phones continually glued to their ears and their houses wireless'd up the yin yang.) The privacy concerns are groundless, since BC Hydro already knows how much power you use – just not when you use it.
Utilities around the continent and the world are installing smart meters because they’re up against increasing electricity demand from customers – note the word "customers" – at the same time as they’re dealing with environmental concerns that mitigate their ability to generate more electricity.
The meters would encourage people, through pricing, to be more conservative in their energy usage, or at least to extend it throughout the day, instead of all at once in peak times.
But that’s all logic, and therefore doesn’t fit in with this kind of “consumer revolt,” “people power,” or what it really is – raw and self-serving politics.
The anti-meter forces are led by several provincial right-wing pols like Bill Vander Zalm, Chris Delaney, and Conservative leader John Cummins. They have a vested interest in stirring up the anger of the populace – they want the Liberals out, an NDP government elected, and themselves the official opposition, positioned for a run at government after that.
Notably, the NDP has yet to join the anti-smart meter crusade. This might have something to do with the fact that one of their biggest allies, the public service unions, have a strong presence in BC Hydro.
Anyway, all this is by the by. Rightly or wrongly, the population in this province was led by the HST referendum to believe it should have a direct voice in all things government.
It’s my opinion that they shouldn’t because no government can function if every decision it makes has to be run by a divided population, most of whom haven’t a clue as to what the real issues are.
But so what regarding my opinion?
The people-power genie is out of the bottle and there’s no easy way to stuff it back in.
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locks
Submitted by smartlocks on Sat, 2011-12-10 03:52.if you want to stop BC hydro from installing a smart meter on your house, you can order a lock online to prevent them from being able to remove your old meter: www.smartmeterlock.com
Wanless way off base
Submitted by Sean Arthur Joyce on Fri, 2011-10-28 12:36.Mr. Wanless, do some homework before you make unsupportable statements like "groundless concerns" and other nonsense. Last year the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health heard from several international experts on the subject of microwave radiation and health, testifying that our current emissions standards are "outdated and inadequate to protect public health." Far from the populist cranks you seem to see in the current 'smart' meter revolt, these are accredited scientists whose life's work is to study such issues. They included Dr. Magda Havas (Canada), Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy (UK), Dr. Olle Johansson (Sweden), Dr. Martin Blank (US), and Dr. David Carpenter (US). In fact the US military had studies showing biological effects from low-power, high frequency (microwave) radiation as far back as the Cold War. I can supply documentation if Mr. Wanless REALLY wants the facts.
Meeting our needs
Submitted by colin102782 on Sun, 2011-10-23 18:34.There is no way that we can meet our future demand without giving our electrical infrastructure intelligence. The largest line item in the BC Hydro budget is capital required for assets, not the labour expense. Electricity demand is sky rocketing, very little generating capacity has been constructed over the past 20 years, and the retail electricity price in BC is extremely cheap relative to global markets. We MUST implement these programs if we do not want to cripple our economy. Higher electricity rates will spur innovation and create business opportunities (i.e. jobs). Improving efficiency is ten times less expensive than building new generating assets.
smart meters
Submitted by Saanich citizen on Thu, 2011-10-20 11:14.Mr. Wanless' denigrating comments notwithstanding, the fact remains that individuals currently have a CHOICE about whether to use a cell phone, wi fi, and other technologies in their homes. Yes, we are all exposed to a great deal of man-made radiation in our daily lives, but in our homes we must have the choice. And just because he personally isn't concerned about the health risks does not make them less real. What about those whose doctors have told them they are at risk because of particular heart conditions? Pregnant women? What about the opinions of experts, like nuclear policy analyst Daniel Hirsch of California, who are very much convinced that these meters are a health risk?
But beyond health issues, there are many reasons why the people of British Columbia are outraged about smart meters.
First, the legislation regarding these meters was passed with virtually no debate, and further, removed this program from the oversight of the BC Utilities Commission.
Second, more than 15 municipalities have looked at the case for and against them, and have asked for a moratorium on the installation of the meters until more information about their safety and efficacy is provided.
Third, thousands of citizens have refused to allow these on their homes, and have sent official notice of no consent to the government and to Hydro.
Fourth, other jurisdictions that have installed them have not seen the much vaunted energy savings, but have seen their bills go up. In addition, many have reported health effects, non-functioning appliances, and even fires after the installation of smart meters. Some jurisdictions have rejected them because they fear that the meters will bring discriminatory billing that will harm vulnerable communities, like the poor, and those who cannot alter their energy patterns (e.g. the sick and those who work from home).
Fifth, the government has not addressed the fact that their appear to be a number of conflicts of interest involved in this program, i.e. BC Hydro employees who are also directors of the company that is providing the meters.
People need to look at this issue in depth, and not just listen to Hydro's and the government's spin.