Urgent! Public Hearing on PSO Rate Increase Monday 7-21-14

OK-SAFE, Inc. – OK-SAFE joins the Tulsa 912 Project in their opposition to PSO’s proposed rate increase and smart meter rollout.

From the Tulsa912 Project:

Oklahoma Corporation Commission – Notice of Public Meeting

Oklahoma Corporation Commission has issued a “Notice of Public Meeting” to discuss PSO’s request for a rate adjustment in the amount of $24 million, for the purchase and installation of 520,000 wireless “Smart Meters.”

Meeting Information:
8:30 a.m., Monday, July 21
Room 301, Jim Thorpe Building, 2101 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Public comment will be permitted

Tulsa 9.12 Project is opposed to the rate hike for numerous reasons – health issues, privacy issues, safety issues as well as the burden of this rate increase and future increases on citizens on lower and fixed incomes.

If possible, we would like many people to attend Monday’s meeting. The more concerned citizens that are sitting in the gallery, the better. You don’t need to speak during public comment, we have people that are prepared to speak on the different issues we are opposed to.

If you can attend tomorrow’s meeting and would like to carpool/caravan with others from the Tulsa area we will be meeting at…

Reasor’s in Jenks
446 S Elm St, Jenks, OK 74037 map
6:30 a.m.
Monday, July 21, 2014

I apologize for the late notice.
Sincerely,
Ronda Vuillemont-Smith
Tulsa 912 Project

____________________________________

NOTE: Please call the OK Corporation Commission to voice your opposition to PSO’s rate increase and the smart meter rollout in their service area.

Phone: 405-521-4114

Email: j.palmer@occemail.com

 

AEP-PSO Reaches Settlement on Rate Increase?

OK-SAFE, Inc. – What OK Corporation Commission staff is making deals with AEP-PSO ahead of the scheduled rate increase hearing, scheduled for June 25th in OKC?

On  Thursday, June 18, 2014 AEP-PSO issued a press release indicating a rate settlement agreement had been reached.  According to the Tulsa World,  “Tulsa-based American Electric Power-Public Service Co. of Oklahoma announced Wednesday that the agreement on a $24 million hike was reached, although it still needs final approval by the Corporation Commissioners. AEP-PSO originally sought a $45 million annual increase that could have raised bills about $4 monthly for most customers.”

AEP-PSO’s June 18th press release on this issue is full of spin.

The first sentence reads, “A settlement agreement in the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) rate case will allow the company to offer Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for all customers, providing new tools for customers to better manage energy bills.”

Saying PSO will “offer” Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI, aka smart meter) is like saying the Mafia offers protection services. “Take the offer or else…”.   People who have not accepted the utilities’ “offer” of a smart meter have been handcuffed, arrested, or had their power shut off.

New tools for customers?  That means the installation of a two-way communication device that identifies, monitors and reports what is happening in one’s home.  This means reporting what people in their homes are doing, and when; when they’re home, or  away.  Eventually moving to a time-of-day rating/billing system.  Have fun with that.

As for the savings advantages, the benefits are all on the side of the utility company.  Electric costs for the customer will go up.  And up. (This is what has happened when smart meters have been deployed. See here and here. And here.)  It is highly unlikely that customers will be able to reduce their energy usage enough to offset the rate increase.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Stan Whiteford

Corporate Communications

(918) 599-2574

sawhiteford@aep.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PSO Rate Agreement Allows Company to Offer Customers New Technology to Manage Energy Use

TULSA, Okla., June 18, 2014 – A settlement agreement in the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) rate case will allow the company to offer Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for all customers, providing new tools for customers to better manage energy bills.

PSO announced plans in November 2013 to begin full deployment of AMI across its 30,000 square-mile service territory, with the goal to replace more than 520,000 existing electric meters with new AMI meters by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Customers’ use of the new AMI rate plans and energy management information made possible with AMI will directly contribute to their level of savings to offset the cost of the new meters over time. In addition, customers’ quality of electric service will improve through enhanced outage restoration capability, electronic reading of meters, remote connections and disconnections, and virtual elimination of estimated meter readings.

If approved by the OCC, the settlement will result in a small increase for the costs associated with AMI deployment. The cost of AMI will be $3.11 per month for residential customers beginning with the first billing cycle of November 2014.”

End of release.

There is a public hearing on PSO’s proposed rate increase scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in a court room at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in Oklahoma City, 2101 N. Lincoln Blvd, in the Jim Thorpe building. The hearing is expected to run several days, if not longer.

Don’t Want a Smart Meter? Take Back Your Power – Screening Tues. 6/10/14

OK-SAFE, Inc. – Concerned about the PSO-AEP smart meter rollout in Oklahoma?  So are we.

There will be a showing of the award winning film Take Back Your Power on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at the Hardesty Regional Library in Tulsa.  The screening begins at 6:30 pm and is free to the public.

Released nationally in 2013, the Take Back Your Power documentary film has won 3 awards, including the AwareGuide Transformational Film of the Year in 2013, and the Leo Award for Best Feature Length Documentary Program in 2014.  It was an official selection at the Berkshire International Film Festival, also this year.

AEP-PSO announced late last year that they would be replacing their 520,000 analog meters with “advanced devices”, aka smart meters.  Work in Tulsa is scheduled to begin in 2015.

Sometimes call “spy meters” due to their inherent surveillance capabilities,  there is a growing body of evidence that exposure to these type of meters causes serious health issues. This, in addition to the concerns about the corresponding rate hikes wherever smart meters have been installed (here and here), is adding fuel to the fire of opposition to the whole smart meter/smart grid rollout.

The utility companies have consistently turned a deaf hear to these concerns. Utility giant AEP-PSO, (sensitive to the growing negative connotation of “smart meters” and “smart grid”?) calls their smart meters “advanced metering devices”. Instead Smart Grid, PSO calls their project the GridSMART project.  (Slick, right?)

Invite your friends and neighbors to this showing.  An action plan will be presented at the end of the presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATED – Smart Grid: The Rest of the Story – Vicky Davis

UPDATE: OK-SAFE, Inc. – Researcher Vicky Davis has completed Part 10 of her series, Smart Grid: The Rest of the Story. 

Part 10, Global Power Shift, describes the functional realignment of the electric utilities, including the self-serving roles of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC), and the utilities.

 

Excerpt:

“The Environmental Protection Agency, which I’m sure has a similar Torus structure, is closing down coal‐fired power plants based on their regulatory authority over air quality. They are creating the shortage of electricity, which will provide the racketeering power of extortion pricing to the utility sector. The Renewable Energy Certificate subsidy scam is a cover of sorts until the entire country is under the control of the smart grid and NERC.

The Smart Meter is the gateway to the home for the Smart Grid and the Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs). The objective, which is well documented, is “demand management”. Through the Smart Meter and Smart Grid capabilities, plus the appliance standards passed by the Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RTOs will have the capability for the Regional Transmission Operators to “shave the peak” – meaning to shut down your access to electricity entirely – or to selectively shut down your appliances including heating and cooling equipment.”

Link to updated 10-part series.  Link to Part 10.

Original post:

OK-SAFE, Inc. – Our friend Vicky Davis, a former computer Systems Analyst-turned researcher at Channeling Reality, has written a series of articles on the history and implementation of the global Smart Grid.

Entitled Smart Grid: The Rest of the Story, this 9-part series covers everything from the basics of how a smart meter’s 2-way communication system works, to an examination of the types of data collection systems involved and the how/why of “smart” appliances; from the efficiency movement to energy rate decoupling; and the origins of the concept of scarce energy.

The series includes a brief look at the “who’s who” orchestrating the global smart grid roll out.

The series is a must-read for those with concerns about smart meters and global energy control.

Smart Grid: The Rest of the Story – by Vicky Davis.

 

 

 

Take Back Your Power video showing Saturday – Claremore, OK

OK-SAFE, Inc. – There will be a video showing of the documentary Take Back Your Power from 1 – 4 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N. Sioux, Claremore, OK.

See details below:

 

 

PSO Plans for Full AMI (SmartMeter) Deployment

OK-SAFE, Inc. – Prepare to be sick:  Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) leadership has approved the full AMI (Smart Meter) deployment across their 30,000 sq. mile service territory.  This means another 522,000 smart meters are coming to a neighborhood near you.

AMI – “Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is an architecture for automated, two-way communication between a smart utility meter with an IP address and a utility company.  The goal of an AMI is to provides utility companies with real-time data about power consumption and allow customers to make informed choices about energy usage based on the price at the time of use.   AMI is seen as an important part of any smart grid initiative.”

Below is the message sent from Howard Ground of AEP to OK House members on November 8, 2013:

PSO Plans for Full AMI Deployment

AEP’s executive leadership team has approved full deployment of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program across PSO’s 30,000 square mile service territory. The project is contingent on regulatory approval, which will be filed in January of 2014. The $120 million project is slated to start in late 2014. 

AMI utilization across PSO will include modern upgrades to PSO’s existing infrastructure including the replacement of 522,000 meters with advanced digital meters over a three year period. The result will mean greater benefits for customers. Potential benefits include:

· Accessible account information – energy use and price information will be accessible by customers via an on-line web portal.

· Enhanced energy management – data available to customers will empower them to more effectively control energy use. In addition, customers will be able to participate in voluntary energy efficiency and demand reduction programs.

· Improved outage restoration – remote connection abilities will enable PSO to detect pocket outages, leading to more efficient response times.

· Enhanced customer service – quicker response to services including remote meter reading and service connections performed within seconds.

The AMI portion of the gridSMART program has already been implemented in Owasso, Sand Springs, Okmulgee, and at the University of Tulsa campus. A total of 31,500 advanced digital meters were installed.

“This program has helped many customers in our pilot areas control their energy usage and has led to greater customer service and increased customer satisfaction,” said Derek Lewellen, manager gridSMART and MRO.

But customers aren’t the only ones benefiting from the cutting-edge technology. There are many benefits to PSO as well including fewer trips made to access customer facilities and more efficient outage restoration.

“We are already planning the implementation phase of the project, which includes working with vendors to ensure a smooth transition,” said Lewellen. “We are excited to expand this program, allowing more customers to benefit from the technology.”

To voice your opposition to this planned deployment you may wish to contact the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. 

 

OCC Street Address
2101 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

OCC Mailing Address
P.O. Box 52000
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2000
(405) 521-2211

Tulsa Office
440 S. Houston Ave., Suite 114
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 581-2296

For more information on EMF health concerns and Smart Meters:

EMFSafetyNetwork

StopSmartMeters

Stop Smart Meters in Oklahoma;

RefuseSmartMeters.org;

MichiganStopSmartMeters

StopSmartMetersNY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opposition to Smart Meters Leads to Tulsa Hearing – Thursday 10/31/13

OK-SAFE, Inc. –Oklahoma Smart Meters and the Constitution

Tulsa County – A hearing on concerns associated with the forced use of smart meters in Oklahoma will be conducted in Tulsa County Court House on Thursday, October 31, 2013.

In additional to the Constitutional question on the infringement of rights, Owasso resident Joe Exposito has serious concerns about the HEALTH/SAFETY/PRIVACY issues associated with the controversial meters.  

During the spring/summer of 2013 this Tulsa County resident obtained a permit from Tulsa County to replace his new Smart Meter with a standard analog electric meter.  Returning to the traditional style electric meter was necessary to counteract the numerous negative health effects Esposito began experiencing after the new Smart had been installed on his home.

Even though properly permitted to do so, PSO responded to the change in meters by turning off power to the home for 66 days, during the hottest days of the summer.

The resident’s attorneys negotiated with PSO, working out a compromise that restored power to the home for a few months (by by-passing the meter and averaging the utility bill).  However, a more permanent solution could not be reached.  

PSO is again threatening to turn off power to Esposito’s home, due to his continued refusal to accept a Smart Meter on his home.

The resident’s Constitutional concerns will be heard at 1:30 pm in the District Court of Tulsa County on Thursday October 31, 2013 by Judge Rebecca Nightingale.  The Tulsa County Court House is located at 500 S. Denver, in Tulsa, OK.

 

Hate Smart Meters? Take Back Your Power. Movie Showing 10/3/13

OK-SAFE, Inc. – For those fighting the installation of those smart meters on their homes and businesses: Take Back Your Power. There will be a special movie showing at 6:30 pm this Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 at the Owasso Community Center, 301 S. Cedar, Owasso, OK, 74055.

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About Take Back Your Power:

Utility companies are racing to replace electricity, gas and water meters worldwide with new generation “smart” meters at an unprecedented rate.  With compelling insight from insiders, researchers, government representatives, lawyers, doctors and environmentalists, Take Back Your Power investigates claimed benefits and apparent risks of this ubiquitous “smart” grid program.  Transparency advocate Josh del Sol takes us on a journey of revelation and discovery, as we question corporate practices of surveillance, extortion and causing harm in the name of “green”.

What you discover will surprise you, unsettle you, and inspire you to challenge the status quo.  Click here to see more.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

About the movie showing:

Take Back Your Power – Investigating the “Smart” grid

“Weʼll spy on you through your dishwasher” David Patraeus, former CIA director, Wired, March 2012

Are corporations paving a perilous path…directly into our homes?

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Owasso community center 301 s. Cedar owasso, ok 74055 phone 918-272-3903

What is making you sick? Could it be your “smart electric meter”, “smart gas meter”, “smart water meter” or other transmitting devices?  Could it be low-level, pulsed non-ionizing radiation?

Find out what level of low-level pulsed non-ionizing radiation is safe

Questions?  Call Joe Esposito 918-639-3421

http://www.stopsmartmetersinoklahoma.org

Utility companies are racing to replace electricity, gas and water meters worldwide with new generation “smart” meters at an unprecedented rate.  With compelling insight from insiders, researchers, government representatives, lawyers, doctors and environmentalists, Take Back Your Power investigates claimed benefits and apparent risks of this ubiquitous “smart” grid program.  Transparency advocate Josh del Sol takes us on a journey of revelation and discovery, as we question corporate practices of surveillance, extortion and causing harm in the name of “green”.

What you discover will surprise you, unsettle you, and inspire you to challenge the status quo.

– See more at: http://www.takebackyourpower.net/about/#sthash.pf3BKjpS.dpuf

Excessive Force: Guthrie Cops used to force Smart Meter Installation – UPDATE

2/20/13 UPDATE: Red Dirt Report has just posted an update on this incident and fills in some blanks, including comments by OG&E spokesperson Karen Kurtz, who confirmed the incident, while claiming bringing the 3 officers was not a “show of force”.  So, showing up with men with guns and handcuffing homeowners in their front yard is not a show of force? Huh?

“Guthrie man still “smarting” after police detainment after refusing new “smart meter”.

Original post:

OK-SAFE, Inc. – 2/20/13 – In a developing story it looks like 3 local police officers were used as a show of force when they accompanied an OG&E technician in the installation of a smart meter on the home of a Guthrie man, against the man’s wishes.

The Guthrie man, who is keeping his name quiet at the moment, has been fighting the installation of the spy-meter for a while now, and was surprised by today’s show of force by OG&E.

The man, who is still shaken up over the incident, wrote in an email to AxXiom for Liberty:

“They wouldn’t let me even put my hands in my pockets once they unhandcuffed me and frisked me, and OG&E didn’t leave any paperwork. They wouldn’t let me inside to get my phone or my camera.”

According to local Guthrie officials, OG&E is responsible for the smart meter installation in Guthrie; it is not known at this time if OG&E contracted out the installation to a third party.

We will post more details as they become available.

Smart Meter Information List – Get Informed

OK-SAFE, Inc. – More than 50 people attended Thursday night’s meeting in Owasso, OK on the health dangers of Smart Meters.

One of the many helpful handouts that night was this list of sources of information on Smart Meters and the associated concerns.

Hazardʼs of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Reference Sheet

Smart Meters & EMR: The Health Crisis of Our Time-Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt (43:11 Sept. 27, 2012)

National Day of Action Against Smart Meters  – Jerry Flynn

Interview with Barrie Trower on Microwave Warfare 14:15

Dr. Hava’s Academic Website
This site provides a collection of Dr. Havas’s publications, technical reports, open letters, testimony as an expert witness at hearings, and invited presentations on chemical and electromagnetic contaminants.

SageAssociates (site under construction)

Sagereports on smart-meter-rf/
Assessment of Radiofrequency
Microwave Radiation Emissions from
Smart Meters

Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields —– Dr.David O.Carpenter

Cell Phone Dangers/Dr. Devra Davis @ National Institute of Environment (1:01:40 Apr. 25, 2012)

Safe Living Technologies Inc.

Citizens for Safe Technology
Electrical Pollution – Smart Meters
Stop Smart Meters/
Take Back your Power
Gigahertz-Solutions

Book
“Dirty Electricity” by Samuel Milham