Appeal to the PA Public Utility Commission and Office of Consumer Advocate
By Stephanie Micek
Smart meters are digital meters with a computer and microwave 2-way data radio that emits pulsed radiofrequency energy (RF) 24/7 on our homes. Plus, smart meters have a power switch that allows utilities (or rogue agents) to choose whose energy they remotely shut off to ‘prevent grid overload or blackouts’. Thanks to smart meters even being used for water (e.g. Aqua PA), utilities are able to select whose electricity or water to shut off when ‘needed’. Ok, you can survive without electricity, but without water and for how long?
This targeted shut off ability is unsettling, as is the 60+ year history of documented RF harm by government bodies. Given that PA is the only state to enforce a smart meter mandate by a misinterpretation of PA law by the PUC, I did not realize that there was a smart meter on my house when I moved to PA 3 years ago. As soon as I did, I asked my utility company, PECO, to opt-out. PECO said that they don’t offer an opt-out, but that I can try a lower EMF meter or relocate the meter a ‘safe distance’ from the house (in effect, a pure admission of RF harm and potency). I tried the first option, but my EMF tester did not indicate much difference in EMF emissions.
Both smart meter options are so potent that my device-only EMF tester picks up high EMF at a distance 2.5 feet from my smart meter. Granted, those spurts don’t happen often (a few times a day), but most of the time the readings are high even 1 foot away from the smart meter. While I have a simple device-reading Gaussmeter, many EMF-concerned utility customers measure with broadband EMF meters, like this three-minute video prepared for the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities that demonstrates how smart meters pulse radiation thousands of times per day.
Then it was recommended that I file a Public Utility Commission (PUC) complaint to request an opt-out, which I did on March 22, 2022. PECO delayed my PUC Hearing date for over two years and it should finally occur next week on May 22, 2024.
During that delay, I reached out to PECO leadership informing them that as PECO is owned by Exelon and all of Exelon’s other subsidiaries offer an analog or non-transmitting meter opt out, PECO should apply the same practice in corporate/social responsibility. Of course, no response from PECO, other than an attorney telling me not to contact PECO leadership.
Then I decided to protect myself from the most potent source of EMF in my house and covered my smart meter with a DIY cover (aluminum foil, covered by an aluminum screen, and secured with a worm gear clamp), so PECO is not getting readings. PECO removed the cover, which I was advised I can keep on while my PUC hearing is pending, so I put the cover back and I’ve paid bill estimates until PECO comes to read the meter.
Electric service customers have a right to protect themself from mandated health hazards especially, from wireless appliances that have not been properly reviewed for health safety. Take action against the FCC’s defiance of a court order to review and update their wireless exposure guidelines.
I’ve sought support from the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) whose mission is to represent all PA utility customers with their utility complaints, but they have refused to do so for PA residents with respect to a smart meter opt-out. Linked here is a joint letter to the OCA petitioning them to advocate for an opt-out, like nearly all other states have or at the least do not use the PUC to enforce a smart meter mandate. After sending this to the OCA, I did get a response that they will review and follow up with me.
There is another organization, the PA Utility Project (PULP), whose “mission is to ensure that all low income Pennsylvanians can access and maintain safe and affordable utility services in their home.” PULP has also disavowed their responsibility to fulfill their mission in advocating for a no or low-cost smart meter opt out.
Our legislature has also failed to schedule a vote for several versions of PA House Bill 1202 (HB 1202 – smart meter choice without a monthly fee). PA House Rep. Matzie, Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, has not scheduled a vote for HB 1202 and has sat on other versions of HB 1202 as well. PECO, whose territory is on the other side of the state than that of Representative Matzie’s 16th District, is a top contributor to Matzie’s campaign, as are the other major PA utilities: Duquesne Light, PPL, and First Energy.
If you have experience with the PUC court and would like to share your knowledge of the process, please reach out to me, as next week will be my first PUC hearing as a complainant.
Please engage CHD PA’s Action Alert regarding utility meter choice in Pennsylvania. Letting your PA lawmakers know your concerns is important.
Wireless smart meters harm human health: Informational PDF for download.
Demonstration of the radiation output of a smart meter’s emissions through the wall of a house.
Complaints can be made regarding unsafe conditions at your residence at the PA Public Utility Commission page for formal complaints.
Stephanie Micek is an advocate for smart meter choice that ends mandatory compliance in PA, without paying for the privilege of not being irradiated by smart meter infrastructure. Her background is in finance – from ESG investing to consulting, and she was an early adopter of the iPhone, but has since realized and researched our growing exposure to man-made, pulsed RF emissions and that all life is affected by this. It is her goal to protect vulnerable kids from this wireless radiation and excessive screen time. steph.a.micek@gmail.com