Smart Meter and FPL Extortion letter
If you are a FPL customer that are one of the lucky few that have managed to hang on to your safe and non-microwave spewing electric utility meter, then you probably received an extortion letter from FPL The letter says that you can keep your non-smart meter but you will have to check a box titled “Non-Standard Meter” and agree to this statement “I understand I will be billed an enrollment fee of $95 and a monthly surcharge of $13 to help cover the cost of the non-standard service, I also understand that I will not have access to the benefits provided by smart meters”.
Apparently the Florida Public Service Commission granted FPL the right to impose a new tariff on any homeowners that had the gall to refuse a smart meter. Thorough out the entire discussion never was the safety, or privacy issues even addressed. The commission and FLP were there to make those who opted out pay FPL for not being able to lay off 90% of the meter employees. Our concerns were ignored so FPL could pad its bottom line. This is totally contrary to the stated Role of the PSC “The Florida Public Service Commission is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services — electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater — in a safe, reasonable, and reliable manner”. What I saw was a more corporate cronyism in Florida Government and the public be dammed.
Some of the commissioners agreed with FPL that customers who had smart meters should not have to pay for FPL to service those of us who able to opt out. This would only make if FPL was reducing their rates by $13 a month for smart meter households. Without FPL giving smart meter rebates any commission making that argument is now working for the public but for FPL.
Then there is the enrollment fee of $95 that FPL said s $77 of it was for a site visit to the homes without a smart meter. Why the person who reads the meter for $15 a month can’t visit it at the same time, was never explained. In fact this site visit was thought to be necessary but without a reason. Of course this tends to happen when someone is making up stuff so they can charge in advance for it. I had a regular meter for 11 years without a site visit. Moreover, wouldn’t installing a smart meter also cause them to do a site visit? So where is the additional cost? When Commissioner Eduardo E. Balbis asked this question the FPL rep said no. because eventually we will put a smart meter in every home. That is the bottom line people; they are only providing the illusion of a choice
In the end Commissioner Brisé admitted that the tariff works to “provide sufficient incentive so that everyone can move in the direction of smart meters . That is what this tariff and this meeting was about to push us into smart meters.
Having said all that, I am still opting out. Simply because of the dangers of the smart mater due to the microwaves, the increase risk of fire, the glitches that generate huge electrical bills with no possibility of the homeowner disputing them. Also there is the real reason that the utility companies and government are pushing us all into smart meters. Frankly I do not know why they want it but I can tell they do want it. That alone is a reason for me opt out and stay out.
PS. The Public Service Commission has said that if a fire starts where the new meters are installed that the homeowner is probably responsible because the CAN the big metal box the meters are installed on is the property of the homeowner. So you have a legal right to wrap a chain around your CAN and lock it so it cannot be opened. Just saying
SMART METER LINKS
§ Consumer Complaints Form
The Public Service Commission of the State of Florida, committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services - electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater - in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner.Consumer Complaints Formhttp://www.psc.state....
§ Stop Smart Meters! | Fighting for health, privacy, and safety
Stop Smart Meters! | Fighting for health, privacy, and safetyhttp://stopsmartmet...
§ How to Refuse Smart Meters in Florida | Stop "Smart" Meters, Florida!
Note that we do not provide legal advice here at Coalition for Health, Against Smart Meters (CHASM)! However, others have used a similar letter to revoke permission for your utility to install a “Smart” Meter on your home or business. This letter template was created from a variety of sources in the US, and was provided by them for use by utility customers in Florida. There are other refusal letter templates on the Internet, or you can write your own letter to inform the utility that you “do not consent to the installation of any wireless or digital meter or device.” We here at CHASM cannot recommend any specific course of action or methodology.How to Refuse Smart Meters in Florida | Stop "Smart" Meters, Florida!http://microwavechasm.org...
§ Just Say No to Smart Meters with Activist Deborah Tavares - YouTube
Alex also talks with anti-Agenda 21 and smart meter opponent activist Deborah Tavares. http://refusesmartmeters.... SAY NO to Health Effects from Radiation ...Just Say No to Smart Meters with Activist Deborah Tavares - YouTubehttps://www.youtub...
§ PSC Commissioners
The Public Service Commission of the State of Florida, committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services - electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater - in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner.PSC Commissionershttp://www.p...
§ Smart meter concerns continue, are a 'complicated' issue, Public Service Commission chief says - wptv.com
Florida's top utilities commissioner told St. Lucie County residents and local officials Monday it'll take more than just his state board to look into safety concerns raised over radio-controlled...Smart meter concerns continue, are a 'complicated' issue, Public Service Commission chief says - wptv.comhttp://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/port-st-lucie/smart-meter-concerns-continue-are-a-complicated-issue-public-service-commission-chief-says4/4/2014
§ FPL | Net Metering
DESCRIPTIONFPL | Net Meteringhttp://www.fpl.co...
§ FPL smart meter update: There will be a monthly fee if you refuse a smart meter - wptv.com
FPL customers who don't want smart meters will have to pay a monthly fee not to have them installed. FPL smart meter update: There will be a monthly fee if you refuse a smart meter - wptv.comhttp://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/fpl-smart-meter-update-there-will-be-a-monthly-fee-if-you-refuse-a-smart-meter4/4/2014
§ FPL playing hardball: Keeping analog meter will lead to fee, charges | Marco Island Sun Times | marcoislandflorida.com
About 2,000 Florida Power & Light customers in Lee and Collier counties are fighting against the electric company's push to get wireless meters in every home. FPL playing hardball: Keeping analog meter will lead to fee, charges | Marco Island Sun Times | marcoislandflorida.comhttp://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20140318/NEWS01/303180025/FPL-playing-hardball-Keeping-analog-meter-will-lead-fee-charges4/4/2014
§ FPL playing hardball: Keeping analog meter will lead to fee, charges | Marco Island Sun Times | marcoislandflorida.com
About 2,000 Florida Power & Light customers in Lee and Collier counties are fighting against the electric company's push to get wireless meters in every home. FPL playing hardball: Keeping analog meter will lead to fee, charges | Marco Island Sun Times | marcoislandflorida.comhttp://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20140318/NEWS01/303180025/FPL-playing-hardball-Keeping-analog-meter-will-lead-fee-charges4/4/2014
§ PSC Audiovideo coverage
The Public Service Commission of the State of Florida, committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services - electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater - in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner.PSC Audiovideo coveragehttp://www.psc.st...
§ SMART METERS new safety finding: THEY ARE NOT UL CERTIFIED
New Info found on the Un-Safety of smart meters. Read below: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joshua Hart, Director, Stop Smart Meters! February 15, 2011 info@stopsmartmeters.org 831.440.9814 CITY COUNCIL DISCOVERS ‘SMART’ METERS ARE NOT UL CERTIFIED Underwriters Laboratory Confirms Meters Not Safety Tested, Raising Fire Safety FearsSMART METERS new safety finding: THEY ARE NOT UL CERTIFIEDhttp://www.wacco...
