SMART METER DISPUTE HEADED FOR CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT - Complaints persist over PG&E’s SmartMeter

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SMART METER DISPUTE HEADED FOR CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT

Local newspaper reports on SmartMeter controversy including the possibility that

SmartMeters may be harmful to people's health.

 

Wilner is quoted in the story stating that **in some people's eyes, this

is an epidemic.**  Wilner suggested there are enough people in the country who

are supposedly suffering from SmartMeter-related afflictions to force a bigger

battle.  There are complaints filed in several other states.  **This could

take off at any time,** he said.

Complaints persist over PG & E’s SmartMeter

By Rooney, Marinscope contributor

http://marinscope.com/articles/2012/06/13/mill_valley_herald/news/doc4fd8f4cfaac\

11917774467.txt

Wilner didn*t expect the California Public Utilities Commission to respond

favorably to his complaints about PG & E’s SmartMeters.

He was right.

**They threw me out,** Wilner said on the heels of a PUC meeting held at the end

of May.

Wilner’s firm, Novato-based Wilner & Associates, alleged that the Pacific Gas

& Electric Co.*s opt-out program, through which customers can choose not to have

a SmartMeter installed, doesn*t protect the public from electric and magnetic

fields radiation.

Wilner accused PG & E of installing devices that emitted more radio frequency

radiation than it told customers about and pointed out flaws in SmartMeter

construction.

At the root of the SmartMeter debate, which is taking place nationwide, is the

potential damage the devices can do to customers.

**In some people’s eyes, this is an epidemic,** Wilner said. **There’s a

common denominator, symptoms we keep hearing about.**

Wilner and others say SmartMeters are causing people to suffer from a range of

afflictions, including headaches, sleeplessness and ringing in the ears.

Wilner also said there was no regulatory oversight to protect PG & E’s

customers, and **we rely on regulatory oversight to protect us and keep us

safe.**

Wilner said complaints about SmartMeters were being ignored in large part due to

governmental bureaucracy.

**Over the last 20 years, there has been a proliferation of government

agencies,** Wilner said. **Cases that would have normally been brought to court

where people can look for relief are now going to the the PUC — and they are

industry-driven.**

**It’s all money-driven,** Wilner said, adding that while he was not

necessarily opposed to safely designed SmartMeters, they are not being used.

Wilner said there are complaints being filed in other states, such as Maine and

land, alleging the same concerns about SmartMeter technology, but the power

companies* political influence has managed to sweep aside the problems.

Wilner also said the $75 cost to opt out of SmartMeters puts some customers at a

disadvantage. **The cost is prohibitive,** he said. **There shouldn’t be any

fee.**

Having been shut down by the PUC, Wilner said his next step was to appeal to the

PUC commission and ask it to reconsider. He said he could point out what he

feels are mistakes in the PUC’s findings.

Having failed to get the PUC to change its mind, he can appeal to the California

Supreme Court, which can either overturn the PUC’s decision or ask the PUC

commission to re-evaluate the matter.

**I*m a hopeless optimist,** Wilner said. ** I*m prepared to get beaten up in

this process.**

Wilner suggested there are enough people in the country who are supposedly

suffering from SmartMeter-related afflictions to force a bigger battle. There

are complaints filed in several other states. **This could take off at any

time,** he said.

Wilner wants Marin residents to know that PG & E’s deadlines to opt out of

SmartMeters are not accurate. He said state law mandates that customers can opt

out of SmartMeters whenever they wish.

Contact Rooney at chris_marin@....