Added April 23-2015
To Kelowna Safe Meters:
We tried to copy your organization in this email we sent to several people in the Fortis-served area yesterday, but were unable to fit it into the form on your website. We do not live in the Fortis area, but are committed to establishing the right of everyone in BC to keep their safe, non-RF, non-fire danger mechanical analog meters. As this letter points out, the fire/explosion danger of a radio-off "smart" meter makes this "option" unsafe and therefore unacceptable.
We hope you will share this information widely.
Thank you,
Norm and Carol Hall
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Atamanenko and Ms. Conroy,
Although we are not constituents of yours, we want to commend you for your letter written to Bill Bennett in support of all BC residents who oppose the installation of wireless smart meters for health and safety reasons and who want to keep their safe, secure, perfectly functioning mechanical analog meters indefinitely.
We also want to bring your attention to two very recent developments in the ongoing fight against wireless smart meters. One concerns people in the area served by Fortis (although the implications are relevant to BC Hydro customers as well), and the other extremely important development concerns everyone who has or is being coerced into accepting an Itron OpenWay Centron smart meter on their home or business, whether or not the radio is disabled.
To take the Fortis matter first, you no doubt recall the 2013 hearing before the BCUC and Fortis’s description of how complicated it would be to disable the radio function of a smart meter: for each meter, it was going to take one hour of administrative work at the contact centre ($51.41) and one hour of labour by a metering analyst ($57.14) plus some minor incremental fees for a total of $110.00. This information is on pages 14-17 of the following document:
http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Arguments/2013/DOC_37312_11-06-2013_FBC_Final-Submissions.pdf
A few days ago while doing an ordinary Internet search, we found the actual manual for programming the Itron OpenWay Centron wireless meter. On page 90, it describes exactly what it takes to disable the radio function: press F1.
http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/OpenWay-Tools-User-Guide.pdf
The BCUC accepted Fortis’s estimates with only minor revisions, so that it now costs $70.60 to disable the radio and $55.00 to turn it back on – both accomplished simply by pressing F1. Note that on page 16 of the FBC Final Submission that if the actual costs exceed the estimate by more than $5.00 per meter, Fortis promises to refund the difference. We urge you to hold them to this.
The second and universal concern is truly frightening. In another Internet search, we found another document (included as an attachment) that on page 24 specifies the type of battery used in all Itron OpenWay Centron meters: Tadiran type TL-4902. This is a non-rechargeable lithium metal battery, also called a primary lithium battery. These types of batteries are different from the much more common lithium-ion batteries (also called secondary lithium batteries) found in cell phones, laptops and other consumer devices, which are rechargeable and actually contain little or no lithium metal.
The concern here is fire, especially of an explosive nature. As notorious as lithium-ion batteries are for bursting into flame, lithium metal batteries are far more prone to catch fire and/or explode, since lithium reacts violently with water and even with the oxygen and nitrogen in the air. Primary lithium (lithium metal) batteries also contain a flammable electrolyte that adds to the severity of any fire that occurs. They're so dangerous that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the transport of lithium metal in passenger planes flying into, out of or within the U.S. back in 2004. (Lithium-ion batteries are still allowed, even though they're caused numerous in-flight fires.) Much more information can be found by Googling 'hazards of lithium metal batteries' or 'hazards of primary lithium batteries,' but these two links will give you an inkling of the inherent dangers:
http://fmclithium.com/Portals/FMCLithium/Content/Docs/downloa/Lithium%20Metal%20Safety%20version%202.pdf
http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/Lithium-ion_battery_04112006.pdf
Virtually all "smart" wireless meters are powered by lithium metal batteries, since these are the only type that will last as long as 20 years. And they probably can last for 20 years - as long as during those 20 years they are not exposed to water (rain intrusion through the flimsy plastic cover), high humidity (coastal BC is very humid) or air (just trust that they're "hermetically sealed"); and that they're not short-circuited (old, inadequate or faulty wiring); and that they're not exposed to excessive power surges (we have violent winter storms in BC); and that they're not exposed to excessive heat (how hot does something enclosed in plastic get on the south side of a house in summer?); and that they're not physically damaged (what happens if a tree fall on the meter, or it gets hit with a kid's baseball?)
If any of these things happen, the result is very likely to be a fire and/or explosion very similar to what is shown here - except worse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4dj34MYvnY
These non-removable lithium metal batteries will be in every “smart” meters installed in BC, whether or not the radio function is disabled. (The battery runs the internal clock and the time-of-use memory functions that BC Hydro and Fortis claim are vital to their interests.) This makes Fortis’s “option” of choosing a radio-off meter a huge safety risk that is every bit as unacceptable as the health risk of an RF-producing radio-on meter.
We urge you to do whatever you can to bring this information to the attention of the public and demand that the BCUC order Fortis to offer a true opt-out: the right of everyone to choose to keep their mechanical analog meters and have them recertified when their Measurement Canada seals expire. This is the only truly safe option for all British Columbians.
Respectfully,
Norm and Carol Hall
Denman Island, BC
[email protected]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Kelowna Safe Meters:
We tried to copy your organization in this email we sent to several people in the Fortis-served area yesterday, but were unable to fit it into the form on your website. We do not live in the Fortis area, but are committed to establishing the right of everyone in BC to keep their safe, non-RF, non-fire danger mechanical analog meters. As this letter points out, the fire/explosion danger of a radio-off "smart" meter makes this "option" unsafe and therefore unacceptable.
We hope you will share this information widely.
Thank you,
Norm and Carol Hall
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Atamanenko and Ms. Conroy,
Although we are not constituents of yours, we want to commend you for your letter written to Bill Bennett in support of all BC residents who oppose the installation of wireless smart meters for health and safety reasons and who want to keep their safe, secure, perfectly functioning mechanical analog meters indefinitely.
We also want to bring your attention to two very recent developments in the ongoing fight against wireless smart meters. One concerns people in the area served by Fortis (although the implications are relevant to BC Hydro customers as well), and the other extremely important development concerns everyone who has or is being coerced into accepting an Itron OpenWay Centron smart meter on their home or business, whether or not the radio is disabled.
To take the Fortis matter first, you no doubt recall the 2013 hearing before the BCUC and Fortis’s description of how complicated it would be to disable the radio function of a smart meter: for each meter, it was going to take one hour of administrative work at the contact centre ($51.41) and one hour of labour by a metering analyst ($57.14) plus some minor incremental fees for a total of $110.00. This information is on pages 14-17 of the following document:
http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Arguments/2013/DOC_37312_11-06-2013_FBC_Final-Submissions.pdf
A few days ago while doing an ordinary Internet search, we found the actual manual for programming the Itron OpenWay Centron wireless meter. On page 90, it describes exactly what it takes to disable the radio function: press F1.
http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/OpenWay-Tools-User-Guide.pdf
The BCUC accepted Fortis’s estimates with only minor revisions, so that it now costs $70.60 to disable the radio and $55.00 to turn it back on – both accomplished simply by pressing F1. Note that on page 16 of the FBC Final Submission that if the actual costs exceed the estimate by more than $5.00 per meter, Fortis promises to refund the difference. We urge you to hold them to this.
The second and universal concern is truly frightening. In another Internet search, we found another document (included as an attachment) that on page 24 specifies the type of battery used in all Itron OpenWay Centron meters: Tadiran type TL-4902. This is a non-rechargeable lithium metal battery, also called a primary lithium battery. These types of batteries are different from the much more common lithium-ion batteries (also called secondary lithium batteries) found in cell phones, laptops and other consumer devices, which are rechargeable and actually contain little or no lithium metal.
The concern here is fire, especially of an explosive nature. As notorious as lithium-ion batteries are for bursting into flame, lithium metal batteries are far more prone to catch fire and/or explode, since lithium reacts violently with water and even with the oxygen and nitrogen in the air. Primary lithium (lithium metal) batteries also contain a flammable electrolyte that adds to the severity of any fire that occurs. They're so dangerous that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the transport of lithium metal in passenger planes flying into, out of or within the U.S. back in 2004. (Lithium-ion batteries are still allowed, even though they're caused numerous in-flight fires.) Much more information can be found by Googling 'hazards of lithium metal batteries' or 'hazards of primary lithium batteries,' but these two links will give you an inkling of the inherent dangers:
http://fmclithium.com/Portals/FMCLithium/Content/Docs/downloa/Lithium%20Metal%20Safety%20version%202.pdf
http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/pdf/systems/Lithium-ion_battery_04112006.pdf
Virtually all "smart" wireless meters are powered by lithium metal batteries, since these are the only type that will last as long as 20 years. And they probably can last for 20 years - as long as during those 20 years they are not exposed to water (rain intrusion through the flimsy plastic cover), high humidity (coastal BC is very humid) or air (just trust that they're "hermetically sealed"); and that they're not short-circuited (old, inadequate or faulty wiring); and that they're not exposed to excessive power surges (we have violent winter storms in BC); and that they're not exposed to excessive heat (how hot does something enclosed in plastic get on the south side of a house in summer?); and that they're not physically damaged (what happens if a tree fall on the meter, or it gets hit with a kid's baseball?)
If any of these things happen, the result is very likely to be a fire and/or explosion very similar to what is shown here - except worse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4dj34MYvnY
These non-removable lithium metal batteries will be in every “smart” meters installed in BC, whether or not the radio function is disabled. (The battery runs the internal clock and the time-of-use memory functions that BC Hydro and Fortis claim are vital to their interests.) This makes Fortis’s “option” of choosing a radio-off meter a huge safety risk that is every bit as unacceptable as the health risk of an RF-producing radio-on meter.
We urge you to do whatever you can to bring this information to the attention of the public and demand that the BCUC order Fortis to offer a true opt-out: the right of everyone to choose to keep their mechanical analog meters and have them recertified when their Measurement Canada seals expire. This is the only truly safe option for all British Columbians.
Respectfully,
Norm and Carol Hall
Denman Island, BC
[email protected]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added Feb 4-2015
Subject: confirmation: technicians NOT qualified
Hello everyone! I hope you will ALL make the effort to come to Cal's talk on Feb. 5, even if you've attended it previously; and PLEASE, speak to your friends and neighbours..don't be afraid! I already know what it's like to have people tell me they 'don't care' about the issue. Yes, it is frustrating because their lack of caring or simply not wanting to dig deep into the issues of this insidious program, affects everything and everyone else. Our passion is sure to infect some of the population, though! I was able to speak about Cal's talk and send people to the website yesterday through the sale of some dog harnesses (yes, I sell the No Pull Freedom Harness for dogs). They saw my locked meter and paperwork.
I want to share that I've just come off the phone with FortisBC who has confirmed for me that in fact the folks changing over the meters are NOT certified electricians but that they do have their 'diploma' and are 'educated' and 'know what they are doing'. Further to that, they can recognize if a meter base is compromised and that's when the certified, red sealed electrician comes in. So, do any of you feel any more relieved? Because I DON'T! The gal on the phone, Shelley, did not know how many hours this 'diploma' comprised of...if any of you can get that information, that would be great. Having said that though, please read the following from Itron's own website:
Because electricity meters, including smart meters, are not consumer devices and are installed and accessed only by trained, certified professional electricians, they do not fit the typical application for UL Certification. Hmmm....FortisBC is NOT using certified professional electricians!
I failed to ask Shelley WHY FortisBC was not in fact following Itron's guidelines. once I hung up I just had to move on to something called, "Get ready for work!" So...anyone out there want to pick up the phone and ask that question? here's the thing...if someone ELSE calls and asks the questions I did and includes asking WHY FortisBC is not following Itron's guidelines, then it's going to make an impact! As a matter of fact, it would be great if 50 people called Fortis and asked, "How many hours training do these people have? Itron says..."
OH...I heard the 'techs' are paid peacework...I heard that on Brian Thiesens' talk on youtube but have no personal confirmation of that. Having called Corix first, and then being transfered to Fortis, Corix nor Fortis was able to tell me what these 'tech's' pay scale was based on. Can someone please find that out as well? Create the following image in your mind of young people being paid peacework and/or close to minimum wage as they perform hot swaps..."Get 'er done!' Potential damage...ya think!?
I have printed out a sign that quotes Itron's message above and then states, "YOU ARE NOT A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN. DO NOT TOUCH THE METER." And I go on to state that they will be held liable/that a notice of liability has been sent/that I will deal directly with Fortis.
AND THIS FOR YOUR READING ENTERTAINMENT!
FortisBC states it “... has developed specific procedures for the implementation of the AMI Project,to avoid any installation or equipment related problems increasing the risk of fires.” THEY ARE SO MUCH AS TELLING YOU THE METERS CAUSE FIRES!! It further states: “During the installation of AMI meters, there is a risk that the FortisBC installer may damage the meter base. FortisBC plans to immediately remedy any damage caused to meter bases, and included in the budget for the AMI Project the cost of replacing over 1,000 meter bases. (FortisBC Final Submission, p. 214) Please keep this statement handy!
I am getting a fire extinguisher! At least I can write it off. Anyone know the best place to get one?
I received my 'evolution of energy' card in the mail yesterday. I'm going to be away. it says they're coming around in the coming weeks so hopefully that won't be between Feb.5-8! I don't trust anything they have to say.
Linda
Subject: confirmation: technicians NOT qualified
Hello everyone! I hope you will ALL make the effort to come to Cal's talk on Feb. 5, even if you've attended it previously; and PLEASE, speak to your friends and neighbours..don't be afraid! I already know what it's like to have people tell me they 'don't care' about the issue. Yes, it is frustrating because their lack of caring or simply not wanting to dig deep into the issues of this insidious program, affects everything and everyone else. Our passion is sure to infect some of the population, though! I was able to speak about Cal's talk and send people to the website yesterday through the sale of some dog harnesses (yes, I sell the No Pull Freedom Harness for dogs). They saw my locked meter and paperwork.
I want to share that I've just come off the phone with FortisBC who has confirmed for me that in fact the folks changing over the meters are NOT certified electricians but that they do have their 'diploma' and are 'educated' and 'know what they are doing'. Further to that, they can recognize if a meter base is compromised and that's when the certified, red sealed electrician comes in. So, do any of you feel any more relieved? Because I DON'T! The gal on the phone, Shelley, did not know how many hours this 'diploma' comprised of...if any of you can get that information, that would be great. Having said that though, please read the following from Itron's own website:
Because electricity meters, including smart meters, are not consumer devices and are installed and accessed only by trained, certified professional electricians, they do not fit the typical application for UL Certification. Hmmm....FortisBC is NOT using certified professional electricians!
I failed to ask Shelley WHY FortisBC was not in fact following Itron's guidelines. once I hung up I just had to move on to something called, "Get ready for work!" So...anyone out there want to pick up the phone and ask that question? here's the thing...if someone ELSE calls and asks the questions I did and includes asking WHY FortisBC is not following Itron's guidelines, then it's going to make an impact! As a matter of fact, it would be great if 50 people called Fortis and asked, "How many hours training do these people have? Itron says..."
OH...I heard the 'techs' are paid peacework...I heard that on Brian Thiesens' talk on youtube but have no personal confirmation of that. Having called Corix first, and then being transfered to Fortis, Corix nor Fortis was able to tell me what these 'tech's' pay scale was based on. Can someone please find that out as well? Create the following image in your mind of young people being paid peacework and/or close to minimum wage as they perform hot swaps..."Get 'er done!' Potential damage...ya think!?
I have printed out a sign that quotes Itron's message above and then states, "YOU ARE NOT A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN. DO NOT TOUCH THE METER." And I go on to state that they will be held liable/that a notice of liability has been sent/that I will deal directly with Fortis.
AND THIS FOR YOUR READING ENTERTAINMENT!
FortisBC states it “... has developed specific procedures for the implementation of the AMI Project,to avoid any installation or equipment related problems increasing the risk of fires.” THEY ARE SO MUCH AS TELLING YOU THE METERS CAUSE FIRES!! It further states: “During the installation of AMI meters, there is a risk that the FortisBC installer may damage the meter base. FortisBC plans to immediately remedy any damage caused to meter bases, and included in the budget for the AMI Project the cost of replacing over 1,000 meter bases. (FortisBC Final Submission, p. 214) Please keep this statement handy!
I am getting a fire extinguisher! At least I can write it off. Anyone know the best place to get one?
I received my 'evolution of energy' card in the mail yesterday. I'm going to be away. it says they're coming around in the coming weeks so hopefully that won't be between Feb.5-8! I don't trust anything they have to say.
Linda
Added Jan 28-2015
Letter: 'Humungous' electric bills since smart meter installed - Kelowna Capital News
Added Jan 28-2015
Good day. For the record, let it be stated that at or about 11:15AM today, i answered a knock at the front door and upon opening it, i saw a young man (less than 30 yrs old?) and a woman (possibly in her 30's). The man said he was here to exchange meters. i said that no, he cannot and if he did not leave then i would phone the police and charge the two with trespassing. He said that his hand-held computer/machine said that i had agreed to have a meter with the off-switch installed. i responded by saying that we had changed our minds and contacted Ian Dyck about that and that we refuse to have a meter exchange. i further stated that Marc Walton and Ian Dyck are familiar with my refusal and that this matter is in legal hands. i said that it's obvious that his information was not updated by Ian Dyck. The man did not identify himself but he was about 5'8" to 5'11", brown hair and thin. The woman's hair was disheveled and dark blond hanging down to her shoulders. She was on a lower step but i gauge her height to be about 5' 8". She said nothing. After this brief exchange, the man thanked me and they left to the Fortis-labeled white crew-cab pickup. They remained in their vehicle for about 10 minutes and then drove off. As far as i could tell, they were not going to anybody else's home on ... Court or ... Rd. and i do not know if they had made any exchanges in the immediate neighbourhood. i seriously doubt that they were in the neighbourhood for any other reason than to determine if we specifically were continuing our refusal. This may be the pretext that Marc Walton believes he needs in order to disturb or terminate electricity service to ... Court, thereby seriously causing harm to my crippled wife who is under medical care for staph infection in her head and who is currently suffering a severe cold. Any such disruption or termination will be considered an criminal act of extortion and/or intimidation. Any further attempt to tamper with the safety device currently on the base of the existing meter for any reason whatsoever will result in a formal criminal complaint for trespassing and breaking and entering. Thank you. Kaz
Good day. For the record, let it be stated that at or about 11:15AM today, i answered a knock at the front door and upon opening it, i saw a young man (less than 30 yrs old?) and a woman (possibly in her 30's). The man said he was here to exchange meters. i said that no, he cannot and if he did not leave then i would phone the police and charge the two with trespassing. He said that his hand-held computer/machine said that i had agreed to have a meter with the off-switch installed. i responded by saying that we had changed our minds and contacted Ian Dyck about that and that we refuse to have a meter exchange. i further stated that Marc Walton and Ian Dyck are familiar with my refusal and that this matter is in legal hands. i said that it's obvious that his information was not updated by Ian Dyck. The man did not identify himself but he was about 5'8" to 5'11", brown hair and thin. The woman's hair was disheveled and dark blond hanging down to her shoulders. She was on a lower step but i gauge her height to be about 5' 8". She said nothing. After this brief exchange, the man thanked me and they left to the Fortis-labeled white crew-cab pickup. They remained in their vehicle for about 10 minutes and then drove off. As far as i could tell, they were not going to anybody else's home on ... Court or ... Rd. and i do not know if they had made any exchanges in the immediate neighbourhood. i seriously doubt that they were in the neighbourhood for any other reason than to determine if we specifically were continuing our refusal. This may be the pretext that Marc Walton believes he needs in order to disturb or terminate electricity service to ... Court, thereby seriously causing harm to my crippled wife who is under medical care for staph infection in her head and who is currently suffering a severe cold. Any such disruption or termination will be considered an criminal act of extortion and/or intimidation. Any further attempt to tamper with the safety device currently on the base of the existing meter for any reason whatsoever will result in a formal criminal complaint for trespassing and breaking and entering. Thank you. Kaz
1. Fortis experience:
HELEN’S a FORTIS BC EMPLOYEE (employee #200391)
I live in Kelowna, I do not want a Smart Meter. I would like to share my story Dec 2014:
I phoned to advise Fortis customer service that I do not want a Smart Meter. The message said the call would be recorded when I was on hold, I pulled out my smart phone and set up the Voice Recorder. When the call was finally put through to someone I advised them that I was ALSO recording the call. I told her I did not want a smart meter installed (#1) This person said that the whole service area was going to be upgraded to AMI meters and that this would not be an option. Then she went on to explain the Radio Off option as my only choice, $88 dollars and then $18 bimonthly charges would be extra fees for this option. I said that I was not agreeing to the new meter and want to retain my analogue meter (#2) and she said it was not a choice I have and I said "I believe it is". Then I told her my meter will be locked and she said the equipment belongs to Fortis. She wanted someone else to call me and I said "here is my address, please note that I have called to say I will be retaining my analogue meter" (#3) pending safety studies coming out from Fortis to my satisfaction that the meters are safe. After the third refusal of the new meter she said "OK I will make a note on your account, what is the address please" . This person was very pleasant but wanted to set up a call with the AMI (Smart Meter Dept). At that point I said that I have sent in Notice of Liability and I asked that they respond in writing and I confirmed that I wasn't interested in more phone calls.
within a day or two "Helen from Fortis" called and left a message on my voice mail. I had heard about Helen and how she was trying to bully people into getting a meter and that she was very aggressive and intimidating. I probably did not even have to return the call but I had just sent the Notice of Liability in so I wanted to cover my bases in case it had not been received/ processed yet. Again I taped the call on my smart phone, getting her name. She would not give her last name so I got her employee number and advised that I was recording as well. She was rude and bullying. I would suggest AVOID engaging with the AMI dept and Helen if you have sent paperwork in and can see that it has been delivered by the Canada Post website- track registered mail.
Helen said that there is basically no choice in the matter, I am getting a Smart Meter and that I could not lock up my meter then she quoted some 9.2 of some tariff claiming Fortis needed access to the meter at all times and it was illegal to lock the meter over and over. I said they would have access to read it she said RCMP and Fire Dept need access to the meter in Emergencies.
I just called the Fire Dept and they said the electricity is not cut off at the meter, it is cut off at the street by the utility company but it is the policy of the electrical companies now to remove meters immediately if there is any type of fire. That is interesting isn't it?
I found the Tariff Helen was referring to and I have attached it. She lied and I have it on recording, it is not illegal to lock the meter, refer to Section 9.2 Access. It does address restricted access as being something that is an allowable action and then Fortis shall be supplied with keys if requested.
What concerns me is that this tariff has a FORTIS name (presumably signature on original) but is blank for Section for Director, Regulatory Affairs Commission Secretary. I have not seen this document but the fact that there is no name indicated this is yet another event of a missing signature on an official document? Is this "the law according to Fortis" because there is no regulatory commission name
OK here is the good part, I called CORIX - 1-855-612-7288 (recorded the call, by now you know the drill) and said I did not want the install of a meter. They verified my address and account name and asked if I informed Fortis and I said yes I had. They said no one would come to install and they would notify Fortis of this and my call,. I stated a total of three times in the call that I did not a meter installed. She was VERY reassuring I would not now or ever see anyone from Corix at my house.
2. Fortis Experience:
RE HELEN,Fortis employee # 200391, folks are right, this woman is AGGRESSIVE. Here is what she told me.
HELEN’S a FORTIS BC EMPLOYEE (employee #200391)
I live in Kelowna, I do not want a Smart Meter. I would like to share my story Dec 2014:
I phoned to advise Fortis customer service that I do not want a Smart Meter. The message said the call would be recorded when I was on hold, I pulled out my smart phone and set up the Voice Recorder. When the call was finally put through to someone I advised them that I was ALSO recording the call. I told her I did not want a smart meter installed (#1) This person said that the whole service area was going to be upgraded to AMI meters and that this would not be an option. Then she went on to explain the Radio Off option as my only choice, $88 dollars and then $18 bimonthly charges would be extra fees for this option. I said that I was not agreeing to the new meter and want to retain my analogue meter (#2) and she said it was not a choice I have and I said "I believe it is". Then I told her my meter will be locked and she said the equipment belongs to Fortis. She wanted someone else to call me and I said "here is my address, please note that I have called to say I will be retaining my analogue meter" (#3) pending safety studies coming out from Fortis to my satisfaction that the meters are safe. After the third refusal of the new meter she said "OK I will make a note on your account, what is the address please" . This person was very pleasant but wanted to set up a call with the AMI (Smart Meter Dept). At that point I said that I have sent in Notice of Liability and I asked that they respond in writing and I confirmed that I wasn't interested in more phone calls.
within a day or two "Helen from Fortis" called and left a message on my voice mail. I had heard about Helen and how she was trying to bully people into getting a meter and that she was very aggressive and intimidating. I probably did not even have to return the call but I had just sent the Notice of Liability in so I wanted to cover my bases in case it had not been received/ processed yet. Again I taped the call on my smart phone, getting her name. She would not give her last name so I got her employee number and advised that I was recording as well. She was rude and bullying. I would suggest AVOID engaging with the AMI dept and Helen if you have sent paperwork in and can see that it has been delivered by the Canada Post website- track registered mail.
Helen said that there is basically no choice in the matter, I am getting a Smart Meter and that I could not lock up my meter then she quoted some 9.2 of some tariff claiming Fortis needed access to the meter at all times and it was illegal to lock the meter over and over. I said they would have access to read it she said RCMP and Fire Dept need access to the meter in Emergencies.
I just called the Fire Dept and they said the electricity is not cut off at the meter, it is cut off at the street by the utility company but it is the policy of the electrical companies now to remove meters immediately if there is any type of fire. That is interesting isn't it?
I found the Tariff Helen was referring to and I have attached it. She lied and I have it on recording, it is not illegal to lock the meter, refer to Section 9.2 Access. It does address restricted access as being something that is an allowable action and then Fortis shall be supplied with keys if requested.
What concerns me is that this tariff has a FORTIS name (presumably signature on original) but is blank for Section for Director, Regulatory Affairs Commission Secretary. I have not seen this document but the fact that there is no name indicated this is yet another event of a missing signature on an official document? Is this "the law according to Fortis" because there is no regulatory commission name
OK here is the good part, I called CORIX - 1-855-612-7288 (recorded the call, by now you know the drill) and said I did not want the install of a meter. They verified my address and account name and asked if I informed Fortis and I said yes I had. They said no one would come to install and they would notify Fortis of this and my call,. I stated a total of three times in the call that I did not a meter installed. She was VERY reassuring I would not now or ever see anyone from Corix at my house.
2. Fortis Experience:
RE HELEN,Fortis employee # 200391, folks are right, this woman is AGGRESSIVE. Here is what she told me.
- I had no right to refuse install of smart meter.
- meters are safe
- I was breaking the law if I tried to lock up a meter, it was Fortis property
- I told her that I had sent in Notice of Liability and that i would accept a meter pending IN WRITING reply to address my all of my safety concerns to my satisfaction. The reply must be from the people it was addressed to, therefore there was nothing she could do for me verbally or by email which would help at this stage
- She did not like the fact that this is already over her head, she did not like that at all and said she would be trying to find my paperwork.
- I said I was among hundred or more people who have requested written confirmation of safety and she said no paperwork received by Fortis from anyone..I was the ONLY one that she knew about. I looked and at least one Fortis copy of mine was sucessfully delivered.
- She will not provide her last name but if you ask she must give you her EMPLOYEE NUMBER
- She is very intimidating. Make sure people are WARNED about this Helen person, make sure they stand their ground and they ask for her employee number.