Updated July 23 2019

The 50-page paper “Overview: Fire and Electrical Hazards from ‘Smart’, Wireless, PLC, and Digital Utility Meters” is now available free for downloading and printing. It provides information from experts on utility meters used in the U.S. and Canada.

The report “Analysis: Smart Meter and Smart Grid Problems – Legislative Proposal” is available free to the public for downloading and printing. This 173-page report, released in 2012 by health and environmental advocate Nina Beety, has extensive referenced information on the many problems and risks of the Smart Meter program known at that time, with information from state, national, and international resources.

Investigation and admissions by the industry since 2012 continue to substantiate these serious problems, providing a searing indictment on regulatory and legislative officials who have failed to halt Smart Meter deployments.

Originally written for California legislators, this report also provides a legislative and regulatory action plan for halting this program, and suggestions for reforming utility regulation so that the public is protected in the future.

The report is evidence for assessing accountability and liability for the extensive harm caused to the public. Supplemental documents can be downloaded here.

Table of Contents

Introduction
What is a Smart Meter?
Smart Grid/Smart Meter problems and issues
– Overview
– Overcharging, accuracy, and the Structure Group report
– Reliability
– Privacy invasion
– Fires and electrical problems
– Health problems
– Switching mode power supply (SMPS)
– Interference with electronics
– Interference with medical devices
– Hacking/cyber-security
– Remote disconnection of power
– Vulnerability of nuclear facilities
– Vulnerability to electromagnetic pulses (EMPs)
– No utility liability for hacked data
– Increased burglary risk
– Increased metal and infrastructure corrosion
– Impacts to building integrity
– Job loss – Environmental costs
– Smart Grid/Smart Meters – energy intensive
– Weaponized RF
– Control of household electrical use
– FCC violations
– Burdensome and excessive costs
– Costs exceed benefits
– Fraudulent claims and unavailable information
– Strong-arm tactics by CPUC and utilities
– Violation of jurisdiction and mandate by CPUC
– CPUC procedural violations
– No CEQA EIR
– Violation of state and federal laws
– Criminal negligence
– Strengthening utility monopolies
– Ignoring realities and open process
Origins
Opt-out limitations
Smart Meter opposition
Legislative solutions
Fiscal impacts
Other states
Prior or similar legislation
Websites for additional information