Smart meters perfectly safe says BC Hydro, but a Highlands family is angry they don't have the option to say no

Kimberly Grigg heads to the stove and places last nightB次元官网网址檚 leftovers in a steamer. ItB次元官网网址檚 been 12 years since she heated any food in a microwave.

Grigg has devoted her lifestyle to reducing the amount of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields her family is exposed to. For her, being asked to accept a BC Hydro smart meter attached to her Highlands home crosses the line.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 an outrage ... itB次元官网网址檚 an violation of my freedom,B次元官网网址� said Grigg, who lives without houshold devices that emit radio frequencies, such as clock radio and hairdryers. B次元官网网址淲e are already forced to live in an environment that is totally toxic and itB次元官网网址檚 bad enough without having it attached to your house. WeB次元官网网址檝e made choices here and I donB次元官网网址檛 want (BC Hydro) to take that away from us.B次元官网网址�

The Grigg family only uses the Internet with the moderm directly plugged into the computer. The family never use their laptop computer while itB次元官网网址檚 charging either. B次元官网网址淭he EMFs are 100 times higher when its charging,B次元官网网址� Grigg said.

When they want to make a phone call they use the stationary telephone plugged into the wall. Grigg does admit her husband Neville requires a cell phone for work, but uses it sparingly. She is aware that she canB次元官网网址檛 completely avoid radio frequencies in her home.

B次元官网网址淲e enjoy watching movies (at home), but my kids arenB次元官网网址檛 allowed within five feet of the TV,B次元官网网址� Grigg said. B次元官网网址淲e understand we are in a world that it is impossible to avoid EMFs, but we can minimize our exposure by lifestyle choices. We chose to move to the Highlands, this is the last rural outpost in Victoria.B次元官网网址�

B.C. residents canB次元官网网址檛 opt out of having a smart meter, but Ted Olynyk of BC Hydro says the meter doesnB次元官网网址檛 have to be attached to a house.B次元官网网址淲hat we are doing is working with our customers and we can (install) the meter away from their home,B次元官网网址� Olynyk said.

Homeowners can hire a electrician to move the current analog meter to a desired distance from the home, which will be location for a future smart meter. BC Hydro will delay installation for a current meter to be moved if notified.

The option of having a wired smart meter is not possible, said Olynyk, adding it would only work if each meter had a dedicated phone line.

Even if Grigg was able to deny BC Hydro the right to install a smart meter, she said if her neighbours wanted them, those electromagnetic frequencies would still affect her.

Olynyk said his family has no issue with smart meters and will gladly welcome one on his home. He has two children and wireless Internet.

Radio frequencies run from 30 kilohertz to 300 gigahertz, and are emitted by cell phones, wireless Internet routers, cordless phones, broadcast antennas and Bluetooth devices. B次元官网网址�(Smart meters send) radio waves much like AM or FM radio signals,B次元官网网址� Olynyk said.

Even though Health Canada has deemed radio frequencies produced by smart meters as safe, Grigg isnB次元官网网址檛 convinced. For the past five years, she has been concerned about B次元官网网址渄amage that (electromagnetic frequencies) do to the bodyB次元官网网址檚 systems.B次元官网网址�

Olynyk pointed out smart meters will emit information four to six times a day with a maximum of one minute in total each day.

B次元官网网址淲i-Fi is all around us, if you wait in a Wi-Fi coffee shop for four minutes, thatB次元官网网址檚 equal to one year exposure of a smart meter and thatB次元官网网址檚 if you are standing next to the meter every time (it sends out information).B次元官网网址�

Olynyk said a smart meter emits two microwatts per cubic centimetre, where Health Canada standards allow up to 600 micro watts per cubic centimetre.

The Griggs say their lifestyle is built on keeping a healthy environment. They donB次元官网网址檛 use paper towels, eat fast food or use any environmentally-toxic chemicals in or outside their home. Their clothes are made with natural fibres and Grigg homeschools her children.

Olynyk argues that smart meters will help play a role in helping the environment too. When a smart meter is installed, BC Hydro customers can use an in-home device or the Internet to monitor their real-time energy consumption.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important for people to see what would happen if (they) turn off this light,B次元官网网址� Olynyk said. People will soon be able to ask themselves, B次元官网网址淗ow much energy will I save?B次元官网网址�

Just by having a smart meter, Olynyk said people will easily be able to conserve 15 per cent of their previous energy consumption.

B次元官网网址淲e are some one of the biggest consumers of electricity in the world,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t puts (control) back in peoples' hands.B次元官网网址�

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com