Comments on North Vancouver Politics.com: Smart Meters: What are the risks?

Nothing more than celebrity endorsement. Sorry, b...

2011-12-26T14:05:54.022-08:00

Nothing more than celebrity endorsement. Sorry, but how is his 'opinion' (and he admits that he is only speaking his opinion) really worthwhile? He's an artist, not a scientist and is broadly generalizing that all this somehow had something to do with his 'cancer scare'. Sorry, but a bunch of hyperbole and hearsay do nothing to support the argument inn any rational way. But, I forget, this is BC. We're not well known for being rational.

Robert Bateman discusses health and Smart Meters ...

2011-12-26T12:30:11.668-08:00

Robert Bateman discusses health and Smart Meters
stopsmartmeters.ca

Thanks for the link, John. The first three commen...

2011-12-22T22:10:02.201-08:00

Thanks for the link, John.

The first three comments below the article pretty well sum up its merit:

1. This 'story' seems like a bit of a stretch - slow news day ?

2. And the Georgia Straight continues its inane, Luddite-inspired attack on smart meters. Give it up, or stick to reporting Lindsay Lohan's latest antics

3. I don't really give a hoot about smart meters one way or the other. There are no less than 10 different wireless networks in range of my laptop and brain right now, to say nothing of all the FM and AM radio frequencies, and natural solar and terrestrial radio emissions....

http://www.straight.com/article-567291/vancouver/l...

2011-12-22T20:15:02.611-08:00

http://www.straight.com/article-567291/vancouver/longtime-bc-liberal-voter-withdraws-support-over-smart-meters

The loss of jobs IS what it's all about. Pr...

2011-12-22T20:11:17.475-08:00

The loss of jobs IS what it's all about.

Privacy, microwave danger,...all stuff to throw out there to garner support from the ususal "hysterics" in order to protect redundant workers.

Don't know if 7:52 and 9:39 are the same anons...

2011-12-22T19:58:11.628-08:00

Don't know if 7:52 and 9:39 are the same anons, but might as well be. Did you watch the Jerry Day Youtube?

I'm also glad for you that you trust our provincial gov't so much. I don't. This isn't about the sky falling or not wanting change. If it is my choice not to have a smart meter then I shouldn't be forced to have one. It seems like just another unproven experiment and we're the guinea pigs. There are so many things imposed upon us that we have no clue on their long range effect and this could be another one. Bring in a Utilities Commission.

Yes Colin the loss of jobs hasn't been mentioned and is a very good point. I'm sure these anons with the attitudes could care less about that either.

I think lyle Craver has covered the points well, t...

2011-12-22T12:05:19.779-08:00

I think lyle Craver has covered the points well, the radiation angle is a dead duck (more like a Norwegian parrot, but I digress)Being upfront and honest about the costs, benefits, pro's and cons of the program is the issue. How many jobs will be lost has not really been mentioned.

I did note the commincation industry does not do themselves any favours, when they tried to install the cell tower in North Van, i asked for a diagram showing the signal strength and side lobe energy produced by each antenna, neither the proponent or Industry Canada could provide it, despite the engineers needing such a plan for their design of the tower and antenna placement. Does not build trust when you fail to provide basic information.

The estimated installation program cost is $940mil...

2011-12-21T21:54:41.518-08:00

The estimated installation program cost is $940million.

The estimated 20 cost savings after installation is $1.6billion.

Therefore, Smart meters result in a cost avoidance of $660million over 20 years, or about $33,000,000 per year.

Just think of the new funding available for other projects like child poverty!

Skip all the "privacy issues" and "...

2011-12-21T21:14:09.938-08:00

Skip all the "privacy issues" and "health issues" what about the $billion we are spending on this travesty when we have the highest rate of child poverty in Canada.

Every house in West Vancouver is on Smart water me...

2011-12-21T20:29:50.749-08:00

Every house in West Vancouver is on Smart water metres that transmit the water usage info.

Programme started in 1993.

15+ years and so far no reported ill effects of radio waves and no "privacy issues."

Good grief, John. Hydro provides a product that i...

2011-12-21T19:52:44.415-08:00

Good grief, John. Hydro provides a product that is consumed and that consumption must be measured in the most cost effective way.

Could the phone company gather information? How about our water meters? Sewage discharge? TV viewing habits?

I'm prepared to be concerned where concern is warranted but I'm not going to to quake in fear everytime there is a change in our lives.

Anon 9:39, Your comment shows a similar level of ...

2011-12-21T18:38:14.186-08:00

Anon 9:39,

Your comment shows a similar level of one-sidedness.

While I agree Anon 9:59s comment is off the wall and sure enough Hydro has known your consumption of power, don't you think it's possible they would now be able to gather other information? At least look at the other side of the argument:

Jerry Day speaks on smart meters;
http://stopsmartmeters.ca/2011/10/smart-meters/

Keating the hypocrite, wouldn’t he be part of the ...

2011-12-21T10:25:03.184-08:00

Keating the hypocrite, wouldn’t he be part of the decision that approved the wireless in the city library? Does he where a tinfoil hat when he visits there?

They won't. WiFi emits a constant radiation f...

2011-12-21T09:39:11.234-08:00

They won't. WiFi emits a constant radiation far in excess of the 3 brief transmissions made by Smart metres.

Privacy? Typical boogey-man of the sky is falling group.

Hydro's knowledge of my power consumption hasn't been a privacy issue for the last 30 years and I doubt it will be in future.

Anon Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:59:00 PM, If you...

2011-12-21T09:09:45.635-08:00

Anon Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:59:00 PM,
If you're comparing smart meters to a microwave oven, please have the decency to post links to studies that show that this is the case. Otherwise you're fear mongering and coming off looking quite ridiculous.

So if it's such a big deal drop off the grid

2011-12-21T08:21:27.780-08:00

So if it's such a big deal drop off the grid

There is a big difference between useing a simple ...

2011-12-20T21:59:06.863-08:00

There is a big difference between useing a simple wi fi and sticking your head into a microwave. And there is the privacy/security issue.

Smart meters broadcast consumption information 3 x...

2011-12-20T12:44:11.699-08:00

Smart meters broadcast consumption information 3 x per day.\

My wifi is always on.

Only in our society would we be whining about smar...

2011-12-20T07:27:48.642-08:00

Only in our society would we be whining about smart meters. Get a life.

The difference between the smart METERS, not metre...

2011-12-20T00:00:37.689-08:00

The difference between the smart METERS, not metres, and other electronic devices is that they are ALWAYS on. And why should we be paying $1 billion for them at this particular point in time?

The provincial debt and deficit is constantly going up.

I don't think that the radiation is significan...

2011-12-19T22:58:34.545-08:00

I don't think that the radiation is significant when compared to other household electroncs.

I don't have a "privacy" issue as Hydro already knows my power usage and the Smart metre just breaks it down.

I would like to be able to put my washer/dw/dryer etc. on timers and run them at a low rate hours to pocket the savings.

Also, I want to see the 2 way metres that allow me to generate power at my home and sell it back into the grid. A guy in Seattle is making money from the power company in excess of his annual power expenditure by selling back excess power from his solar panels.

Lyle, Good to see you on the blog again. I have...

2011-12-19T18:47:15.089-08:00

Lyle,

Good to see you on the blog again.

I have to slightly disagree however as I feel the most important reason is due to a lack of a Utilities Commission involvement. Next up or equal would be the privacy issue. And as far as radiation goes it's just one more thing compounding on top of all the other radiation. It's a transmitter not a meter.

Get a tinfoild hat and quit your whining

2011-12-19T17:45:23.290-08:00

Get a tinfoild hat and quit your whining

Both CNV and DNV have heard a delegation speaking ...

2011-12-19T15:05:03.647-08:00

Both CNV and DNV have heard a delegation speaking against Smart Meters. Only CNV has passed a moratorium against Smart Meters. Still waiting for DNV response.

I don't think radiation is a valid reason to o...

2011-12-19T15:01:02.966-08:00

I don't think radiation is a valid reason to oppose the smart meters. If you have a cell phone or a netbook making using of wifi you're exposed to considerably greater radiation than the smart meter.

The whole smart meter debate has a lot to do with the HST referendum debate in terms of trusting the government - it's a billion dollars of taxpayer dollars for something whose benefits are not well defined.

A big part of the problem is that Victoria has been mining BC Hydro for 'dividends' for decades under Socreds, NDP and Liberals and there is no reason at all that the Hydro planners couldn't do very nicely with a capital plan not involving P3's had they been allowed to retain their earnings like most businesses.

I don't trust Victoria's handling of BC Hydro and that more than anything else is why I am mistrustful of the smart meter program.