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Grassroots Activist Facing Possible Charges Over Agenda 21 Smart Meters

By: irish067 (Diary)  |  August 25th, 2011 at 07:41 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

I don’t know what you know about Agenda 21, but this should certainly be a red flag. A “representative” from the power company knocks on the door of a grassroots activist in Houston and tells her that he is going to install a new meter on her house and requests access to her property which she promptly declines. The man then has the gall to hop the fence – did I mention that this happened in
Texas? She confronts the man at her meter and he proceeded to try to push her out of the way which is not a good idea in Texas. Thelma decides to arm herself and the meter man makes a hasty retreat. Now Thelma is facing possible charges?

I haven’t heard a whiff of this in the “mainstream” media, but here’s a clip from an article on TeaParty911.com:

TX HB 2129 passed in 2005 created a law for use by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) to grant energy producers permission to require the installation of smart meters replacing older meters including the off premises meter reading devices. One such consumer, Thelma Taormina of Houston, is concerned about such a product and installation.  ‘Door hangers notified consumers smart meters would be installed, if consumers were not home they would find another door hanger with instructions to call and set a time when they would be home so their meter could be installed. In Ms Taormina’s case, she received a door hanger congratulating her regarding the completed installation of her meter prior to the meter’s installation. An installer came to her property and requested access to install the meter; she refused since he did not present any identification other than wearing a shirt with the installation company’s logo.  He then jumped her fence, made physical contact with her and only after she armed herself did he leave her premises. There are possible charges pending related to this incident.

Read the full article at: http://www.teaparty911.com/issues/smart_meters.htm

Looks to me like the “green agenda” is coming to a neighborhood near you whether you like it or not.

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  • Finrod

    .

    • funwithknives

      at least in S/E Michigan.(DTE Energy) You call for an install, and get reduced rates. They are Interruptable, so as to distribute/even-out power flow,as-needed, during high load periods. They also have short-range transmitters to broadcast meter readings, as-needed. I Didn’t know these are mandatory anywhere and if they are, is the function as I describe ??
      What ever happened to The Customer is Always Right?

      • Vannek

        Pacific Gas & Electric in CA makes the meters mandatory. We were told we have no choice.

        • Vannek

          The smart meter that can be read using a short-range transmitter is mandatory. Allowing the utility to monitor and adjust your usage is voluntary.

          • runner12

            off the front porch. She should press charges for assault and trespassing. This is outrageous!

        • Menlo

          I would be surprised if any law in any state required anyone to have electric service.

          • Menlo

            That story seems to raise more questions than answers in my mind. I know a later law allows the use of force to protect one’s property, but that story on the link looks poorly written and lacking key details. Anyway, I know a lot of people who don’t want the meters have been told they can do without electricity, and it’s unfortunate; but that is the power of a natural monopoly (no pun intended). I fail to see how it’s any worse than water fluoridation?

            I kind of like the idea of being able to monitor how much electricity I’m using, but I think that the electric provider should offer a choice.

            I think my area is on the part of the state map to do that next year. If I’m still here, I’ll be interested in seeing if the meters are made in China.

          • http://thirdrailers.com/ thirdrailers

            everything is made in china these days… even our money….

          • Menlo

            I did some checking, and it seems Oncor’s smart meters are being made in Mexico.

            I don’t know if the Chinese have mastered that yet. If they were making our money, we’d likely see a huge increase in counterfeits. LOL!

          • http://thirdrailers.com/ thirdrailers

            oh my dear friend but they do…. they just simply ship it back to us in the form of trillion dollar loans :)

          • Vannek

            If you want electric service from the utility, you have to play by their rules. We get our natural gas service from the utility as well. There are no alternative companies to deal with. Suppose I could buy a generator, install a windmill and solar panels…

          • Menlo

            No one has to have electric service. I could be wrong, but I would guess that most people on this planet do not.

            I do find this practice (supported by Rick Perry and the entire state legislature) repugnant, especially given the lack of long-term success. However, I fail to see how it rivals water fluoridation in terms of natural monopolies.

          • GregInFla

            You have to have working heat,such as an electric furnace, to get a certificate of occupancy for a home (or a mortgage when buying one). This usually requires electricity, as natural gas is not as widespread as up north. And no, you do not need to have A/C, just heat. Figure that out!

      • lastgopinillinois

        This is one of obamas pet united nations green energy schemes. If you can read between the lines, it is really a socialist wealth re-distribution scheme.
        People at Freedomworks were going crazy over this thing pushing petitions. I read all about it. I signed petitions to vote no on agenda 21 and they went to obama and my local representatives.
        I strongly suggest everyone get educted about this if you havent already.

        • dmacleo

          I have option, for $12 more per month, to keep present meter.
          I will.
          I will not allow them the power to shut me off with a keystroke at their whim.
          this is Central Maine Power Options

          ****************************************

          I want the new standard,
          wireless Smart Meter!
          You don’t have to do anything. We’ll
          install your Smart Meter automatically,
          at no additionalcostto you.

          Option A:
          A Smart Meter that emits no
          radio signal.
          One-time charge of $20, plus
          Monthly charge of $1O.5O
          CMP will read the meter every two months
          for billing, and send an estimated billfor the
          alternate months. Customers will have access
          to hourly usage information on line, but the
          data will be updated every other month after
          meter reading.
          Check Option A on the reply card and mailtoday.
          Note: The modified smart Meter is not expected to be
          avoiloble before Morch,2012, but you moy selectthis
          option now.

          Option B:
          Electro-mechanical meter, like the
          meter you have today.
          One-time charge of $40, plus
          Monthly charge of $12
          An electro-mechanical meter with no wireless
          communications technology. CMP will read
          the total recorded electricity usage every two
          months for billing and send customers an
          estimated bill for the alternate months.
          Check Option B on the reply card and mail today.

  • Vannek

    We’re having similar problems in Northern California. Folks who seriously object to the smart meters are building cabinets around their meters and padlocking them so that the utility workers can’t switch out.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    I encountered in CA back in 2000. I’m glad I didn’t have a firearm at the time. I told her that I had already mailed the form in about five times. I closed the door in her face, mid-question. She pounded on it at again – with a metal bar used to lock steering wheels!

  • http://www.veronicaestrada.com Veronica

    Welcome to Smart Cities.

    http://setis.ec.europa.eu/about-setis/technology-roadmap/european-initiative-on-smart-cities

    http://ec.europa.eu/energy/technology/initiatives/20110621_smart_cities_conference_en.htm

    “To demonstrate the feasibility of rapidly progressing towards our energy and climate objectives at a local level while proving to citizens that their quality of life and local economies ….”

    What you’re experiencing through your local utility is just the beginning.

    Keep your gun locked up, lest they use it as a reason to strip us of our American gun rights.

    • acat

      Or, if you have one handy, just wave a really strong electromagnet around it. Anything that’ll kill a cell phone will kill the transmitter in these meters as well.

      Knew a guy who worked on the technology used – it’s basically a very stripped down cell phone. They’re in parking meters too, y’know.

      All they do is to periodically transmit GPS coordinates and how much of {whatever} they’re dealing with, be it money (parking meters) or gas or electric or water or .. just about anything that’s delivered metered.

      Why GPS? Friend said they had a smart meter on a house that was being renovated that somehow ended up moving to a different house the same contractor was renovating… that was, apparently, an interestng conversation.

      The problem with the assertion that the meters can somehow control your appliances is that .. the technology isn’t there – in the appliances – to do so.

      I was an early adopter, once upon a time, for a program that would let my electric company turn off my A/C remotely. They had to rewire quite a bit to make it work.. and gave me a rate cut that worked out to about $15/month on top of the savings of not running the A/C for it.

      The point is, there’s nothing in your refrigerator or your microwave or your computer that will accept a “shut down” signal from your power meter.

      Mew

      • http://www.veronicaestrada.com Veronica

        I’m kinda offended with the use of the term “tin foil hats” when it comes to “what next.”

        In my opinion, it doesn’t belong in the realm of serious discussion.

        Discredits and all.

        But, no.. never heard of the control-the-fridge-doo-hickey and I wouldn’t care.

        People can control this stuff from their offices through the internet — and woo! with that internet kill switch loomin’, gee, we’re doomed fer sure! Where’s my 1-year-canned-food kit?

        Smart cities are being helped along up by the “innovation” of American corps. The state are their biggest client, and obviously, they’re no longer driven by a consumer economy.

        Guess where biz is going to tap next?

        This feels so .. Matrix.

        • acat

          there’s some conspiracy here, based on fear of new technology.

          The electric meter uses a cellular signal to call in its’ readings. This replaces power, gas, and water meter readers, walking from house to house, reading meters. Saves money. Increases accuracy.

          This also reduces the number of customer service techs too, for when the estimated bill is way off because of a very warm January or cold August.

          I’m not sure where the assertion that “someone can turn off your power over the internet” even comes from since this technology uses cellular communications, not TCP/IP, so .. it’s not even “on the internet” to begin with.

          As for the “turning off air conditioners”, they’ve been working on this for decades – like I said, I was involved in a pilot program. No internet, and they couldn’t turn off my whole house – just the air conditioner. I watched how they wired it, and while I’m not a licensed electrician, I can follow along.

          Finally, I used tin foil hats for two reasons. First, I do not believe that this is “The Matrix” – which was a virtual reality world, you know, and second because a couple layers of metal are enough to block a cell phone signal, so .. one approach other than the electromagnet I mentioned in my first post would be to put a couple layers of foil around the meter itself.

          Prove this to yourself. Take a cell phone and turn the ring tone all the way up. Put it inside a box. Wrap the box with foil. Several layers. Call the phone. When it doesn’t ring, you’ve got enough tin foil. Use a few more layers when wrapping your meter, just in case.

          Mew

          • http://www.veronicaestrada.com Veronica

            did I imply I was afraid of new technology?

            The TCP/IP internet thing was a joke, but now that you mention it —

            http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9362154.stm

            “So what” about the advancement.

            Matrix was a joke, but I implied that our mode of *living* beyond entertainment was going to be a source of income for, well, everyone.

            I am pro-job, Anywhere USA — but pray statist jobs are quelled.

            I mean, everyone working for the state is a rotten idea, doncha tink?

          • acat

            That said, in most of the U.S., the power company is just that – a for-profit highly regulated company, not “the government”.

            What smart meters do is to eliminate jobs – unions should be in the streets, not small-government supporters – not to give statists control over our lives.

            They can already tell how much electricity or gas or water we use. That’s the point to the meter. The smart meters are just more efficient about reporting it.

            If you don’t want one, that’s fine – you may have to relocate if the power company pushes. Heck, fight ‘em at their own game and go solar – solar film on standing-seam metal roofs pays off quite well long-term… and nobody can tell you what to do with power you make yourself.

            As for appliances that are clever enough to be on the internet – that doesn’t imply that anyone else (including government) can control it for you. I wouldn’t buy one, any more than I’d buy a car with OnStar, but that’s largely because I don’t see the point in leaving an open door where no door is needed. As features go, “smart” appliances do, for a couple bucks, what I do already with a timer and a post-it note. (grocery list is on a post-it – actually, a couple post-its – on the front of the ‘fridge)

            Mew

          • http://www.veronicaestrada.com Veronica

            unions should be coming over to “our side” or we’re all becoming Marxist union-sympathizers, thanks to this unemployment binge!

            I just found an article on a guy who takes a pro-Marxist slant on technology giving us the mobility we crave as (he doesn’t say it) “contractors” — who sniff at the idea of a long-term, privatized job with benefits and a pension.

            Permanence? Who needs to stay loyal to any one company? Who needs to stay loyal to any one country?! — Brazil’s hiring!!

            He made an appearance at an international IB conference.

          • acat

            live in Brazil. Not what I want to do.

            This, however, has always been the case.

            Some of the horrors of Dubai …

            There is a very good reason why I disregard public opinion polls that say the U.S. is out of favor with the rest of the world – their people keep moving here. If we really were hated, or even mildly disliked, the flow of immigrants – legal ones, mind – would have dried up.

            Long story short, the guy pushing contracting as a career is selling a fiction – done it, it’s a lot more paperwork, and at the end of the day, not more money. He’s selling something, and buyer beware applies.

            Caveat emptor, though, also applies to looking for U.N. guys in our fuse boxes.

            Mew