Record complaints made against power companies, Ombudsman reports | Herald Sun

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

RECORD numbers of complaints are being made against gas and electricity companies as they employ debt collectors to chase thousands of struggling customers over unpaid bills.

The shocking extent of bill defaulting is revealed in a new report from Victoria’s Energy and Water Ombudsman.

Power bills have already surged about 50 per cent ahead of inflation in the past four years, mainly due to higher network costs passed on by monopoly distributors.

The state’s households and small businesses face another price jolt from January.

Do you have a power company horror story? Tell us below or email collierk@heraldsun.com.au

Now the Ombudsman’s report reveals that to add to the pain, retailers are taking a harsher stance against consumers who fall behind on accounts.

The Ombudsman’s office says it has been swamped with record utilities complaints such as high bills, disconnections and botched charges and meter readings.

The Ombudsman also warned of “credit repair” companies charging fees to help struggling people when free help was available elsewhere.

“Electricity, gas and water prices are up. People are facing other cost-of-living pressures,” Ombudsman Fiona McLeod notes in an annual report released today.

“Many of the customers who contacted us were concerned about paying their bills and making ends meet.

“It was also evident that energy retailers were taking a harder line on account arrears and pursuit of energy debt.”

Her office handled 49,580 complaints last financial year, up 29 per cent on a year earlier and 250 per cent more than five years ago.

Cases include:

A MAN sent a $20,000 gas bill because of a bungled meter reading.

SOME customers getting higher, but accurate, bills when smart meters were put in because old meters were “running slowly”.

A WOMAN charged the wrong electricity tariff for years.

ROGUE door-to-door sellers sacked or cautioned for telling customers that retailers would cover smart meter costs.

More than 4100 customers raised debt collection as a main or associated credit issue, while more than 5800 cited payment difficulties.

Cases about disconnection increased 74 per cent (to 2636) for electricity and 34 per cent (to 1399) for gas.

Do you have a power company horror story?
Tell us below or email collierk@heraldsun.com.au

Herald Sun comments on this story

via Record complaints made against power companies, Ombudsman reports | Herald Sun.

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Posted in Bills Soar, Ombudsman, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Smart meters trigger Wi-Fi blackout – ZDNet Australia

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

About 250 consumers in the US have reported that smart meters cause interference with internet routers and other electronics.

The Office of the Public Advocate, a state-authorised advocacy group for utility customers in Maine, reported last week that Central Maine Power customers have contacted the group about interference within their homes from smart meters. The utility has installed about 440,000 two-way meters that automatically report power outages and allow the utility to read meters remotely.

The smart meters use the unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band. So if a Wi-Fi router or other device, such as a garage door opener, overlaps on the same channel, there can be some interference, according to Central Maine Power. The problem can be addressed by moving devices away from the smart meter or changing the channel that electronics use, the utility says in its smart meter FAQ.

The Office of the Public Advocate complained that Central Maine Power isn’t providing enough information to consumers about potential problems. “While CMP’s website does refer to the issue, we don’t think it goes far enough,” ratepayer advocate Richard Davies said in a statement.

A representative from Central Maine Power said the utility is aware of the problem and has set up a unit to handle complaints. Usually problems can be fixed over the phone, the representative told the Portland Press Herald.

California utility Pacific Gas & Electric has seen a backlash against smart meters over worries related to health effects from the radio transmissions of smart meters. A test done by the utility research group Electricity Power Research Institute (EPRI) found that radio frequency emissions from smart meter communications are far lower than from Wi-Fi and mobile phones.

But PG&E has not found many cases of Wi-Fi and electronics interference from the millions of smart meters that have been installed and notes that any interference is brief since smart meters communicate for less than a minute a day in bursts of a few seconds, according to the utility.

Smart meters are being installed locally in New South Wales as part of the $100 million Smart Grid, Smart City trial project.

The project, run by a consortium led by Energy Australia, is rolling-out 50,000 smart meters across five sites in Sydney and the Hunter region, and will give 2000 households the ability to switch appliances on and off via a web portal or by using an iPhone.

The network will also tout approximately 12,000 sensors to monitor the power grid in real time.

Unlike the US, however, the Smart Grid, Smart City smart meters will operate on a 4G backbone for transmission of data back to the central hub.

via Smart meters trigger Wi-Fi blackout – Hardware – News – ZDNet Australia.

Where as in Victoria according to Powercor: The smart metering system makes use of low power radiofrequency (RF) transmitters to communicate meter readings. Weak RF fields in the 900MHz and 2.4 GHz bands are produced during the system’s normal operation. http://www.powercor.com.au/Smart_Meters/Meter_Functions/

Posted in 2.4GHz, 4G, Energy Australia, Microwave, NSW, Powercor, Smart Meter, Sydney, Wi-Fi router interference | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MEETING MEDIA RELEASE by the Casey & Cardinia Smartmeter Awareness Group – 30th November

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

SMARTMETERS DAMAGING OUR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

Are you concerned about any of these issues?

  • Your electricity bills going through the roof with the new Time of Use tariff.
  • Health issues related to the meters microwave radiation – you can’t turn it off!
  • Mandatory installations – why don’t you have a choice?

If you said yes to one or all of the above then this meeting may interest you.

Costs – bills are increasing by 50%! The AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) was approved by the Brumby Government and now the public are paying for it. Roll out costs to Consumers are planned to continue until 2028, and thanks to previous legislation, consumers have been paying for the AMI on their electricity bills since the beginning of 2011, regardless of whether they have a Smartmeter or not. With the introduction of the new Time of Use tariff consumers bills are increasing in some cases by 50%!

Safety: With no public consultation prior to the roll out, there are many alarming factors becoming apparent with the Smartmeter technology concerning house fires, rising costs, privacy concerns and very damaging health problems. Many Residents Groups have now been set up to spread awareness of the emerging issues surrounding the Smartmeter roll out. Our Group is based around the Casey Cardinia district.

Water and Gas as well: Besides the Electricity and Telecommunications network, Water and Gas are other utilities which are planned to be communicating with RFSmartmeters within an exponentially accumulating microwave grid network throughout the State.

Some have now banned the Smartmeters: The Government is standing by the ‘safe’ limit from ARPANSA which is arguably much higher than eminent world scientists proclaim as safe, especially for children. The Copenhagen Resolution endorsed by Scientists in 2010 substantially acknowledged the dangers of microwave radiation, asked for official warnings for the general public, and safe alternatives to wireless technology.  Additionally, The World Health Organization has classified wireless radiofrequency emissions as a possible human carcinogen in May of this year, placing it in the same category as lead and DDT. Some Countries, with pressure from concerned residents, have now banned the Smartmeters.

Measure microwave radiation emissions: Apart from rising costs, there are many people who have experienced acute physical distress and social upheaval after Smartmeters have been installed in their locality.  With pressure from the electorate, an independent Consultant has been engaged by the present Government to measure microwave radiation emissions from the Smartmeters.  No independent Consultant has been engaged to research and report on health effects from the Smartmeters or the microwave grids.

With big questions hanging over the safety of these microwave emissions, Energy Minister O’Brien has still stated “there are problems with the Smartmeters…..but safety is not one of them.”

With so many people experiencing health problems in relation to Smartmeter RF microwave radiation throughout their homes and the environment, residents are not content to believe the story that there are no safety issues with these Smartmeters.

No-one should be forced: The Energy Minister has stated that no one should be forced to accept a Smartmeter until the results of a Financial Review into the roll out are finalised.  Concerned residents do not want to be FORCED to accept a Smartmeter on their homes even after the result of the Financial Review. We are supposed to live in a democracy.

More information about these alarming issues needs to be given to the public, and unless residents seek answers from the Government and those who do not have a vested interest in the Utility Companies, these answers will not be forthcoming.

The Casey & Cardinia Smartmeters Awareness Group has organised a FREE PUBLIC FORUM at which people can hear from Guest Speakers, listen to Residents who have had their families health and financial welfare seriously affected by the Smartmeter roll out,  and be able to voice their questions and concerns.

The Public Forum on Smartmeters will be on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at the Uniting Church Hall, 47 James Street Pakenham (MEL 317 8D) at 7.00pm.

There is plenty of parking on the street and in nearby Public Carparks.  Literature will be available.  Gold coin donations appreciated to help cover costs.

Click here to print out a PUBLIC FORUM POSTER to share with others.

Join with us to fight for our democratic rights.

Posted in Bills Soar, Energy Minister, Meetings, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bill normally $185 PER QUARTER, new bill – $883.45.

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Being a pensioner, i keep my electricity use to a minimum, since a smart meter was installed, i now have constant ringing in my ears, and i avoid loud noise, and my faithful dog is now drained of energy, and only 6 years old, i could not understand why, till i read of it happening to others, my electricity bill is normally about $185 PER QUARTER, then my new bill was $883.45c. i called the electricity company , of their error, they insisted i pay it, and said they would give me more time to pay, finally i got them to check the bill they sent, and they hesitantly said i should disregard the bill. my experience with a smart meter, is it has caused me stress to the max. physically and mentally. i regret the day they forced a smart meter upon me, now i have to live with ringing in my ears, and to see my dogs health suffer, and sleepless nights,

Posted in Bills Soar, Ringing in my ears, Share your story., sleepless nights, Tell us your story, time-of-use pricing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Energy Minister Michael O’Brien states: nobody is forced to accept a meter at this point in time.

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Must See: Smart meter rebellion Video: A Current Affair | Stop Smart Meters Australia.

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On-line Polls

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

1. iCredit 500

2. Landis+Gyr E350

Posted in On-line Poll, Smart Meter | 3 Comments

Symposium on Radiofrequency (including Mobile Phones) and Public Health 21st November

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Swinburne’s Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre (BPsyC) Hosts This Year’s “Science and Wireless” Public Forum

The annual “Science & Wireless” event provides a unique opportunity for scientists, regulators, industry specialists and members of the community to meet and exchange views on Radiofrequency (including mobile phones) and health in a public forum.

This year’s forum is titled “IARC Explained” and will provide an opportunity to discuss the implications of a recent decision by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify Radiofrequency (RF) Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) as “possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)”.

Key questions for discussion will include:

  • Why did IARC choose to review the research evidence on RF EMF?
  • What other classifications were considered, apart from the Group 2B?
  • Why was the Group 2B classification selected, and what does that mean? What evidence was considered and how?
  • Are there any implications for users of mobile phones?
  • What are the views of major health regulators and authorities on the 2B classification, and what happens next?

Science & Wireless 2011 will be held at the Jasper Hotel, Elizabeth St, Melbourne on Monday 21 November at 4.30 – 6.30. There will be several distinguished speakers including Dr Robert Baan, the IARC officer in charge of the evaluation process from Lyon in France. Proceedings will be facilitated by Swinburne’s Adjunct Professor Ray Kemp, who is a leading risk perception analyst, both in Australia and the UK.

via BPsyC Clinical and Health Research Group – Swinburne University Melbourne Victoria Australia.

Posted in health risks, Meetings, Research, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

EMF Scientific Workshop 2011 : Energy Networks Association 22nd November

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

The annual ENA EMF Scientific Workshop for 2011 will be held on Tuesday 22 November 2011 at Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth Street Melbourne.

The Workshop is sponsored by the EMF Program of the Energy Networks Association. The guest speaker for the Workshop will be Dr Robert Baan of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer based in Lyon France. Dr Baan will speak on the recent IARC review of RF EMF radiation which resulted in the “possibly carcinogenic” (Group 2B) classification. The focus of the Workshop will be research papers related to power frequency EMF (50Hz). The Call for Papers has been issued recently and further papers are welcome. The Workshop is free and will be open to the general public. A Registration Form is available for those wishing to attend. The Science and Wireless 2011 public meeting is expected to be held the evening before the Workshop.

For further inquiries contact Richard Hoy at rdhoy@bigpond.com or telephone 1800 076105.

Download Registration Form

via EMF Scientific Workshop 2011 : Energy Networks Association.

Symposium on Radiofrequency (including Mobile Phones) and Public Health 21st November

Posted in health risks, Meetings, Research, Safety, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Smart Meter installed. What now?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

If you have had a Smart Meter installed already we urge you to join us and take action via one or all of the options listed below. They are winning the fight in America to have the Smart Meters removed. If we all join together we can do it here to.

Posted in Smart Meter installed. What now? | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Nauseous and with heart palpitations!

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Hi, I have just found out about Smart Meters from my Mum, who pointed me to your site. I went outside to put the sign on just now and found out I already have one installed! Funnily enough (well, not funny) I have been very sick the past 2 days, nauseous and with heart palpitations. I am in very good fitness so this is quite odd. I have no idea when it was fitted.

I’m writing to find out what I should do to try and get it uninstalled or dealt with. Can you suggest anything?

Thankyou!

Share your story

Posted in Heart palpitations, Nauseous | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment