20220502Thatcher Complaint.pdf

RECEIVED
2022 MAY-2 Pl\A 2.23
IDAHO PUBLIC
tJT ILITIES CONTN/ISSIONTami Thatcher
102t7 s. 5ft w.
Idaho Falls,ID 83404
Phone: [phone]
May 2,2022
Jan Noriyuki
Idaho Public Utilities Commission Secretary
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
1 1331 W. Chinden Blvd, Ste. 201-A
Boise,ID 83714
Email : secretary@puc. idaho. gov
?nc.-E- ,.2-og
Dear Jan Noriyuki, Idaho Public Utilities Secretary:
As my initial compliant to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on April 15,2022I wish to
submit a formal complaint to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission because my initial complaint
was to be not publicly disclosed, and it resulted only in my being told that few people complain
about Smart Meters, the complaint process is onerous, that Idaho does not provide an opt-out of a
Smart Meter and also that Rocky Mountain Power is not required to take any responsibility for
delivering misinformation by multiple people and in multiple ways from their Smart Meter
Hotline and that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission does not take an interest in the
disinformation provided by Rocky Mountain Power.
My complaint is the about the repeated misinformation provided by the Rocky Mountain Power
Smart Meter Hotline and by mail that asserts that the Smart Meters are safe and like a cell phone
or a lap top computer using wireless communications, despite the absence of evidence that they
are safe; about the Rocky Mountain Power mailing to me information that stated I could opt out
of having a Smart Meter installed; about the refusal of Rocky Mountain Power to document their
multiple incorrect statements by phone and in writing that were given to me; about the problems
of my individual health situation with radio frequency emissions, and about the about the need
for the ability to opt-out of having a Smart Meter installed at my home in the state of Idaho as
other states allow.
Chris Hecht of the Idaho PUC did inform me over the phone that I could submit in writing a
formal complaint and that due to the procedural complexity of how these are handled, the Idaho
PUC would assist in submittal of this fonnal complaint.
First, an overview of a two-sided handout mailed to me by Rocky Mountain Power. This handout
states that is it a "Myth: Smart meters are a health threat because they use radio frequency
waves." The handout uses the terminology "radio frequency (RF) waves" but I will use "radio
frequency emissions" herein although many other terms apply to the same phenomenon. The
1
handout cites a report by the California Council on Science and Technology from 201I titled
"Health Impacts of Radio Frequency Exposure from Smart Meters." The link for the California
Council on Science and Technology (CCST) report is
http : //ccst. us/publ ic ations/20 I I /2 0 I I smart- final. pdf.
The CCST report states that the contents of its publication "are subject to changes, omissions,
and errors, and CCST does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies that may occur." The
CCST report arrives at its statements about Smart Meters based on current Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) standards that only address known thermallv induced
health impacts and not the potential forgg@gl impacts of radio frequency emissions. The
CCST report cited by Rocky Mountain Power states: "To date, scientific studies have not
identified or confirmed negative health effects from potential non-thermal impacts of RF
emissions such as those produced by existing common household electronic devices and smart
meters." And it states: 'Not enough is currently known about potential non-thermal impacts of
radio frequency emissions to identi$ or recommend additional standards for such impacts."
The lack of confirmed negative health effects, despite the absence of study, is taken to imply that
Smart Meters are safe. In the CCST report, Smart Meters that operate with brief pulses every
hour, basically continuously are compared with electronic devices such as cell phones, cordless
phones, standing close to microwave ovens, wireless routers and wireless-enabled laptop
computers. There are differences in how many hours a day people are exposed to their cell
phones or laptop computers. Importantly, the wireless communications to these devices can be
stopped by the person who chooses to use them. In contrast, the pulses of brief but frequent,
virtually non-stop, transmission of Smart Meter signals on a person's home creates the potential
for non-thermal impacts that have not been studied by the very agencies being cited as
providing the basis for setting the standards for radiofrequency emissions.
The lack of appropriate standards setting regarding the non-thermal human health effects is
explained in detail in the 2021 court decision. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
court found that the Federal Communications Commission and other U.S. agencies had all failed
to provide a reasoned explanation for the determination that current guidelines adequately protect
against the harmful efTects of exposure to radiofrequency radiation. See the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the D.C. Circuit court, August 13,2021. No. 20-1025. ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH TRUST, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND UNITED.
Radio frequency, as two words, is used somewhat interchangeably with radiofrequency, as one
word. For the same phenomenon, there is a wide variety of terms used in or cited in the CCST
report and by others: radio frequency exposure, radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields,
radiofrequency emissions, RF emissions, radiofrequency fields, radiofrequency energy, radio
frequency radiation, radiofrequency radiation, electomagnetic radiation and probably others.
The Rocky Mountain Power handout uses a different term: "radio frequency (RF) waves" and
also assured me over the phone that their Smart Meters did not emit "radiation."
2
The wide variety of terms being used for the same phenomenon is confusing to many people.
Studies that are associated with the cancer-causing potential of electromagnetic frequency (EMF)
might not be obviously associated with "RF waves" but in fact both are referring to the same
thing.
I suppose it is natural for entities seeking to persuade the public that Smart Meters are benign
avoid using terms like electromagnetic radiation. The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) limits on human exposure issued lu,.1996 are in a document titled "Evaluating Compliance
with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields," Federal
Communications Commission, August 1997 at
(httn://www.fcc.eov/Bureaus/Eneineerine_Technoloey/Documents/bulletins/oet65/oet65.pdfl
TheCCSTreportandothersrecognizethattheFCClimitsaddresson1ythe!@of
absorbed radiofrequency emissions. These limits address only the heating of human tissue. From
this, it may be fair to conclude that we will not be able to heat and cook a microwave dinner by
placing it near a Smart Meter. Some people may conclude that the cancer-causing impact is
sufficiently constrained by the FCC limits on themral effects - cancer was the only impact
studied and was studied with regard to cell phone usage.
The @ of radiofrequency emissions have long been noted by various
researchers even if ignored in setting standards for radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.
The CCST report lists very few of the non-thermal adverse health effects encountered by people.
But the non-thermal adverse health effects identifred by people noting the adverse impacts (and
not being biased to ignore these impacts) include insomnia, fatigue, neurological problems,
reproductive problems including DNA damage, increased blood-brain barrier permeability and
others.
For several years, I have had to limit my exposure to radio frequency emissions from cell
phones, computer wireless connections and medical devices. I had to get rid of my cordless
phone. I have had to limit my exposure to computer WI-FI and despite wanting to download
reports at night, I learned that I could not sleep if the computer modem was not shutdown at
night. I also have had to specifically request medical equipment, (a sleep apnea machine) that
allows me to turn offits radio frequency emissions while I sleep. And after trying out hearing
aids that quite promptly increased my tinnitus, I then leamed that the hearing aids nansmitted
signals through the cranium from ear to ear not just to a computer for adjustrnent. I had to choose
hearing aids without these advanced features that did not have radio frequency emissions. And I
have personally experienced heart palpitations due to increased radio frequency levels.
Especially after my brother died of brain cancer, I also limit my use of cellular phones.
The medical professionals seeking to assist people have explained that the body needs greater
protection from radio frequency emissions during the sleeping hours as the body's cells need to
rest and repair.
When I contacted the Rocky Mountain Power Smart Meter Hotline, because of my special health
problems from radio frequency emissions, I requested information concerning their Smart Meters
several times and from several different people. I asked how often signals were transmitted.
3
First, I was told it was once per day and also that many people are comforted to know that it is
only one signal per day.
Then, I was told it was more than once per day but Rocky Mountain Power Smart Meter Hotline
operators would not say how often. Then I was told, with confidence, that it was once per hour,
24hours aday.
Finally, I was told by Rocky Mountain Power that Smart Meter signals are expected to be
tansmitted between 40,000 to 200,000 signals throughout the day and night, every 24 hours.
This is several thousand signal transmissions per hour of basically non-stop transmittal of signals
all day and all night.
The Idaho PUC has stated to me that Rocky Mountain Power is not required to document its
statements to me and that I cannot prove what Rocky Mountain Power actually said to me.
Rocky Mountain Power steadfastly refused to document my complaint to them. They refused to
document what my complaint was and what various responses various RMP people had given
me during on various phone calls to their Smart Meter Hotline and their complaint departnent.
The degree of disinformation and misinformation from Rocky Mountain Power conceming their
Smart Meters appears to be deliberate. Rocky Mountain Power people want to persuade people
that there is no problem and they were repeatedly offering seriously incorrect information in
order to persuade people. The information was incorrect in two ways: (1) it was not consistent
with their own stated information sources, and (2) the information from the stated sources, if
reviewed, certainly does not allow the sound conclusion that Smart Meter radio frequency
emissions do not create adverse health impacts.
When Rocky Mountain Power mailed to me written information stating I could opt out of having
a Smart Meter installed, Rocky Mountain Power did later acknowledge that they made an error
and that the opt-out applied to another state but not to Idaho.
However, the multiple times I was given incorrect information over the phone regarding their
Smart Meters was something I requested Rocky Mountain Power to address as I made a
compliant to them. Rocky Mountain Power readily initiated a complaint for my concerns over
the phone but then refused to document my stated compliant to them or their multiple instances
of providing me with incorrect information. Rocky Mountain Power also refuses to acknowledge
the high amount of incorrect information they are giving to anyone who calls their Smart Meter
Hotline.
The fact is that the Smart Meter signal ffansmissions, although brief, are basically many times
per hour and basically the intermittent signals continue all day and all night. Rocky Mountain
Power finally stated the number of transmissions was 40,000 to 200,000 signals very 24 hours,
throughout the day and night. You could say that the drummer of a Rock and Roll band did not
beat his drums continuously because there was a pause between the drum beats, yet somehow
this noise would actually keep most of us awake if it were next to our bedroom. Would someone
making loud music all night long be able to send the police away by giving to the officers the
stated duration of time that the drum heads were contacted during the night? Radiofrequency
4
carurct be heard by most of us, yet our bodies and our cells can still be disturbed by the
intermittent signals.
The actual damage and health impact to the human body will depend on specific characteristics
of the radio frequency emissions, the duration of exposure during the day and night, the years of
exposure, and also the specific characteristics of the human beings being exposed. Human
studies take a long time to conduct and there are many confounding influences. The study of
cells in a petri dish and of animals have long provided evidence of the highly disrupting
influence of radio frequency emissions on tissue.
The 2011 CCST report that provides a comparison of the radio frequency power density of a cell
phone, microwave oven, Wi-Fi Router and Smart Meter fails to acknowledge the difference in
the number of hours a day a person uses their cell phone or lap top computer. If the conceptual
mistakes they make in the CCST report are honest, they have certainly displayed their lack of
understanding of human biology and the impact of radio frequency emissions on human tissue.
I don't know anyone who uses a microwave oven, a cell phone or works on their computer
while they are sleeping. The distinction that a Smart Meter is transmitting signals all day and all
night was not made in the 2011 CCST report. The 2011 report by the California Council
provides non-scientific and biased contortions to arrive at a desired presentation no matter the
lack of evidence regarding adverse health impacts either in a general case or in extremes of a
particular installation.
Did the Idaho Public Utilities Commission understand that the safety standards set for the United
States transmission of radiofrequency for Smart Meters and other devices such as WI-FI and cell
phones are based only on how much they heat up your tissue? Did the Idaho PUC understand the
distinction that with many such devices such as cell phones or computer Wi-Fi, the user can turn
them offwhile they sleep but the user has no control over the Smart Meters trarrsmit signals
intermittently, thousands of signal transmission every hour, all day and all night? And why
would the Idaho PUC have such utter disregard for the health and safety of people in the state,
particularly those people like me who know that they are adversely affected by radio frequency
emissions?
When the FCC standards were set in 1996 and when the 201I CCST by was issued, the non-
thermal effects of radiofrequency had not been studied and these effects have still not been
studied. The Idaho PUC is making Idahoans guinea pigs all while refusing to provide a
reasonable and widely accepted opt-out.
The existing studies of adverse health effects from radiofrequency waves have considered the
extent to which radiofrequency waves cause cancer. The studies of the cancer-causing potency
have not studied potential adverse effects on children or the reproductive system. Nor have these
studies for cancer risk addressed the implications of long-tenn exposure to "RF radiation,
exposure to RF pulsation or modulation (two methods of imbuing radio waves with infonnation),
and the implications of technological developments that have occurred since 1996, including the
ubiquity of wireless devices and Wi-Fi..."
5
The Food and Drug Administration has reviewed only the potential cancer effects and no other
health effects from radio frequency emission, mainly for the use of very limited minutes per day,
ofcell phone use.
There remains inadequate scientific basis upon which to conclude that the increased exposure to
radio frequency emissions are safe for the general population or the environment.
I have been forced to and able to take measures to limit my exposure to radio frequency
emissions, especially while sleeping. Days and weeks of insomnia are a serious health problem
for me and for anyone. And I have a medical metal implant in my body near my heart. The metal
picks up radio frequency emissions and has put my heart into irregular beating rhythms.
To listen to an uninformed person at Rocky Mountain Power or at the Idaho PUC tell me that
radio frequency emissions are safe and like a cell phone only tells me that (1) they do not
understand how unsafe the standards really are, and (2) they don't give a fig about my specific
health circumstances (metal implant near my heart) that make me more vulnerable.
The radio frequency emissions from a Smart Meter on my house would be a few feet from my
bed and it puts me at greater risk of death by a heart attack as I sleep.
There is no federal law requiring the Idaho PUC to forbid allowing customers the option to opt-
out of having a Smart Meter.
The Idaho PUC can allow an opt-out for customers, and many states have provided this option to
their electricity customers.
The cost of relocating the electricity meter base from my house's bedroom wall would cost many
thousands of dollars and would require me to incur liability for underground line failures as well
as installation damages.
The installation of a Smart Meter at my home may make my home unsafe and uninhabitable for
me.
Rocky Mountain Power and the Idaho PUC do little more than tell me Idaho has no opt-out
option for Smart Meters.
This is a completely unacceptable and unjust situation and it relies on grossly inadequate study
of human safety which completely ignores all non-cancer adverse health effects. (I have little
confidence that the existing study of cancer effects is adequate, either.)
The rules of procedure for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission are burdensome and appear to
be intended to dissuade many people from issuing a formal complaint or obtaining a suitable
resolution.
I wish this complaint to be publicly documented. I want the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to
be aware of how unscientifically sound the current safety studies are for the Smart Meters that
they are trying to force upon Idaho customers.
5
The absence of studies addressing the continuous non-stop exposure to Smart Meters and the
ceaseless exposure that people cannot escape from even during needed hours ofsleep alone is
sufficient evidence that there is no basis for concluding that Smart Meters on a person's house,
particularly a few feet from their bed is safe.
I request the Idaho PUC to allow me to opt out of having a Smart Meter on my house. It is the
Idaho PUC that should be taking the lead in facilitating the ability for customer's to opt-out.
See the attachments to this email that I sent with my original complaint staternent to Idaho PUC
which included scans of various brochures Rocky Mountain Power mailed to me which attempt
to say that Smart Meters are safe and are similar in health impact to other devices, devices which
a user may shut offduring the sleeping hours.
Sincerely,
Tami Thatcher
7
Tami Thatcher's Written Complaint Submittal to the Idaho Public Utilities
Commission, April ls,20Zz,regarding Rocky Mountain Power Smart Meters
My contact information:
Tami Thatcher
10217 s. 5tr w.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404
(208) s22-2341
Email: [e-mail]
As soon as I read about it this winter, I called Rocky Mountain for information.
I am informed on the phone that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission did not require Rocky
Mountain Power to allow an "opt out" option as other states have allowed.
I ask about how many times aday a signal is hansmitted and I am told that it is only one time per
day. Furthermore, I am also told that "many customers are relieved to know that it is only once
per day that the signals are transmitted."
I ask how strong the signal is. The Smart Meter Hotline operator can't answer questions about
the signal intensity and does not have units for a number she gives me, but she says she can mail
me information, detailed information, that will answer all ofmy questions.
I receive the packet of information from Rocky Mountain Power; it is post-marked March 10,
2022.It does not seem to answer any of my questions but I have been busy as unrelated email
problems have been taking weeks to resolve and tax season adds to my list of desk work.
I receive a phone message from Rocky Mountain Power that a Smart Meter is to be installed in a
few days. I think this was on April 5,2022.I take a closer look at the package of information
Rocky Mountain sent to me and I call Rocky Mountain Power.
The detailed oacket of information that Roclcy Mountain Power sent to me sa)rs in writins that I
can opt out of havine a Smart Meter. It also says that the Smart Meters only communicate via RF
for only a few minutes per day. I am curious about when this few minutes is.
The envelop from Rocky Mountain Power to me at my only address, in Idaho, and its post mark
of March 10,2022 is scanned. The enclosed information is one l-sided page and four 2-sided
pages. I have scanned the 2-sided handout that says "smart meters communicate via RF
[Radiofrequency] for only a few minutes aday." And the other side of that handout that states:
"if you do not wish to upgrade to a smart meter, you may opt out for a one-time replacement fee
plus a monthly fee..." I have scanned another handout on general radiofrequency information
about "Typical RF Values * from April 2011." It says that holding a cell phone to your head
would be 3.3 to 1,100 X more. I know that cell phone studies found higher risk of brain cancers
1
for cell phones held to the head for more than 30 minutes per day. The Rocky Mountain
literature is actually very vague about the actual levels of RF exposure that could occur.
So, I call Rocky Mountain Power and I ask again, how many times a day are signals transmitted.
Now I am not grven an answer to this question.
I state that because I am particulady sensitive to RF because of metal in my body near my heart
and how high RF can put me into heart palpitations I want to opt out. I do not want a Smart
Meter on the wall of my bedroom. I am told I cannot opt out. I ask why the information that
Rocky Mountain Power mailed to me, specifically at my request states that I can opt out. They
say that it is because other states do allow an opt out and I was sent very general information
which did not apply to me or my state.
I see that the information mailed to me by Rocky Mountain Power does not say how many times
a day a signal is broadcast, but it looks like it may be far larger than one time per day. I ask
Rocky Mountain Power on the phone how many times aday the signal is broadcast each time I
call them. [Prior to April 11], They acknowledge that it is more than once per day but they will
not say how many times per day.
Rocky Mountain Power does agree to cancel the currently scheduled Smart Meter installation
and they describe that I may have one of their people come and advise whether it is feasible to
move the smart meter. They tell me that I will have to hire my own electrician to move the
equipment which can be placed on a post, with wiring about 24 inches below ground.
I can see this is going to be expensive.
Also on the phone, I request that Rocky Mountain Power document a Formal Complaint for me.
I state that first of all, I was given completely untrue and incorrect information when I was told
on their hot line that there was only one signal broadcast per day.
Then I wanted it documented that I was mailed incorrectly information in writing by Rocky
Mountain Power that stated I could opt out of having a Smart Meter. But over the phone, the
answer has consistently been that in Idaho, I could not opt out. But they say I may be able to
relocate the Smart Meter, but only if they decided I could and only at my expense.
I also explain that I have a health condition that makes me more susceptible to heart fibrillation
due to metal in my body near my heart. I try to explain to the folks at Rocky Mountain Power
that this is a very serious concern for me but at no time does anyone at Rocky Mountain Power
appear to care.
I had to make several calls to Rocky Mountain Power the week of April 5ft. I would be told
someone would call, but I basically had to call again a couple times. I finally do get a call from
"R" at Rocky Mountain Power, I believe on Thursday April 7ft.
I ask again how many signals the Smart Meter will be transmiffing per day and that I had been
told that it was only one per day. The person at Rocky Mountain Power acknowledges that it is
more than one per day, but he will not say how many times per day (and night) the sienals are
transmitted.
2
Repeatedly Rock Mountain Power tries hard to explain that gee, don't I have a cell phone and
computer, so don't I already have Radio Frequency in my house. I explain that I minimizethe
use of Radio Frequency (RF) in the house and I power down all such equipment during the
sleeping hours, say 10 pm and 8 am. I know that these signals can and do send my heart into fib
and do awaken me. I know that the standards for RF are based on only minimally heating up
your body's tissues and are not based on the most prevalent symptoms, namely, insomnia and
heart fib.
The Rocky Mountain person on the phone agrees that it could cost me a lot of money to try have
the smart meter moved. He will not answer to any estimate of how many signals per day or night
the Smart Meter signal is transmitted. I say all I need is that no signals are transmitted between
l0 pm and 8 am. He says he will ask the experts if this is possible. and that he will call me back
on Friday April 8. between 10 am and noon. I have some false hope that Rocky Mountain Power
will try to be reasonable.
I receive no call back on Friday April 8 and no call on Monday April 11. Around 3 pm, on
Monday April I l, I call Rocky Mountain Power to ask about the status.
At that phone call, the Rocky Mountain Power person (a woman) is aware of my complaint to
them and states to me confidently that the RF sienals are broadcast once an hour. 24 hours per
dgy. She tries to say that because the signals are brief, that they don't matter. I explain that this
will likely mean I never get another decent night's rest and that it may likely kill me.
She tries to say, that likely I have a phone and a TV using RF. I say that I do not use RF devices
during the sleeping hours. She tries to say that it will be very beneficial for me to know my
hourly electrical use, every hour of every day. I tell her that I do not think it will be beneficial for
me to know this. She of course emphasizes that Idatro has no opt-out option.
She says that the person who was to call me Friday had been out of the ofEce on Friday. I say
that if no one could call on Friday, they could have called on Monday, to say when they could
call. Of course, that didn't happen.
She says she will request the team for coming to look at whether an alternate location for the
Smart Meter can be foun{. She says she cannot say any estimate of when they will call me to
schedule this. Later she says that they may call me after 2 days or so.
I request a copy of my Formal Complaint. She says that everyone I have talked to in the last
week will have to meet and discuss it. I request again, that I would like written documentation of
my Formal Complaint and she says that won't happen and that sometime perhaps late this week
they will discuss how to respond to my questions. I state that with the very high rate of
misinformation from Rocky Mountain Power, I wish to confirm that Rocky Mountain Power has
documented the statements I have made to them, especially how the Rocky Mountain Power hot
line specifically gave me (and others) completely wrong information when they said only one
signal per day was transmitted. I wanted it documented that I was mailed totally inadequate and
also factually incorrect information stating that I could opt out of having a Smart Meter. And that
even though I had asked several times how many times a day a signal would be broadcast but no
3
one would answer that question. Prior to April I l, I asked Rocky Mountain Power this question
multiple times, and I was never given an answer. The answer I was given on April 11 confirmed
my fears as it was stated that it is 24 times a time, every hour, of the day and night. This would
be enough to wake me up every hour all night long. It appears that several Rocky Mountain
Power hotline operators knew this information but withheld this information deliberately.
Rocky Mountain Power, gave incorrect information to me on the phone and in writing. Rocky
Mountain Power appears to have deliberately withheld information pertaining to how often
signals would be transmitted. Rocky Mountain Power at no time acted with accountability for
documenting the questions and concerns I had. Furthermore, Rocky Mountain Power refused to
send written documentation of my Formal Complaint, saying only that they would be discussins
it, probably by the end of the week. But no written documentation of my compliant to them
would be provided, at least not any specified time and certainly not any time soon. I wanted to
confirm that Rocky Mountain Power had actually documented my concerns over my heart health
and how many times I had been given incorrect information. But Rocky Mountain Power
adamantly refused to provide to me documentation of my Formal Complaint - not the resolution
but documentation that they had in fact documented my complaints.
On Monday April 11r I was told by Rocky Mountain Power, with confidence, that the
number of signals transmitted per day was one per hour, effectively 24 signals per day, all
day and all night.
On Tuesday Apil l2,I met with a Rocky Mountain Power estimator (Nick) for feasibility of
meter base relocation. He was helpful and based on the power pole and the wire to my house, he
suggested a possible location. He also said that the underground power line from the pole to my
house is now Rocky Mountain Power's but that they could let me have the line. A relocation to a
site between the power pole and my house could be in the orchard. A licensed electrician could
dig to this line and install the meter base there on a post. The Smart Meter can only be located on
the meter base. It would likely cost at least $3000 if all went well. Any damage to the wire or the
meterbase would be my responsibility. He said that the Smart Meter could be installed at the
house and then later relocated. This way I could tell for sure if it was a problern.
On Wednesday April 13, the Rocky Mountain person who had not called back last Friday did
call me. He told me that Rocky Mountain power did not allow opt outs and could not withhold
transmission of signals during the night time.
On this April 13 calt I ask again how many times a day signals are transmitted and I am
now told that between 401000 and 2001000 signals a day were transmitted.
First I was told 1 time per day, then I was told 24 times per day (once per hour) and now I am
told between 40,000 and 200,000 times per day (and night).
He also confirmed that Rocky Mountain Power would not provide to me in writing any
documentation to confirm that they had documented my complaint to them.
4
For additional background on my health. Due to stomach reflux problems, a metal ring was put
in my body, around 2006. Several years ago, I started having problerns that I found were related
to RF and I purchased an RF meter. I had to get rid of a cordless phone and make adjustments to
my computer area. When my sleep apnea machine wore out, I was given a loaner but no
instructions or information about the machine. I found that I could not sleep well and could not
get rested when using it. The machine had a dc converter and I wondered if it was electrical
interference somehow. I got out my RF meter which also measures electrical interference and
discovered to my surprise that the sleep machine put out a large RF field. When I later got a
replacement machine, I knew that I had to get one that had "airplane mode." This makes a huge
difference in my ability to sleep deeply. This allows the user to turn offthe RF transmittal.
During the daytime, one time per month, I turn "airplane mode" offand let the machine transmit
the data to the medical supply office which lets them know if I am using the machine and it also
have data about how many times I apnea.
Many people are unaware of the RF influence on their health. They simply don't know why their
insomnia is worse.
My brother died of brain glioblastoma at age 63. He was a frequent cell phone user and he would
never have thought there was any harm from it. Most people don't know that over 30 minutes per
day on a cell phone has been shown to increase the risk of glioblastoma. But many people do
know that they should not hold a cell phone close to their head.
When the Rocky Mountain Power literature compares their Smart Meters which operate 2417 and
near the bedroom as it is for my house, to using a cell phone close to your head, this is very little
comfort.
I don't expect Rocky Mountain Power Smart Meter Hotline operators to be cellular biologists.
But the way that I was given such a wide variety of answers and the way that they avoided
answering my questions tells me that the incorrect information was intentional. Rocky Mountain
Power was trying to act like they had experts to answer questions about their Smart Meters when
in reality Rocky Mountain Power deliberately avoided answering even very basic questions that I
had and that other callers typically had.
The strength of an RF field will depend on how much interference is between the Smart Meter
and where it is transmitting to. The actual RF Values can be extrernely variable whether for your
cell phone or a Smart Meter.
The experts for medical help for people with RF sensitivity emphasize that the body needs more
protection from RF during sleep. Using the cell phone or computer and limiting that time is
something I actively do and I retain a land-line phone for the bulk of my phone calls. Protecting
the sleepingarea and the hours during sleep are the most important times to reduce RF and I
know this from very personal experience.
I should not have to have my health adversely impacted and my risk of death increased by being
forced to have a Smart Meter installed, which would be on my bedroom wall. Most other states
allow people to opt out of having a Smart Meter. I should not have to move to a state that allows
5
a Smart Meter opt out. I should not have to pay for very expensive (likely over $3000 to relocate
the meter base that connects to a Smart Meter AND accept future liability for the electrical
underground line). t should not be forced by the State of Idaho's public utilities commission to
not have the ability to opt out of having a Smart Meter.
The standards setting for the safety of RF does not apply to people with metal in their bodies or
other health conditions. The standards are based on simply not overheating tissue rather than the
cellular dysfunction caused. ln studies not funded by the entities promoting the use of these
electronics, it is found that RF does cause cellular disruption to the body's cells and that
insomnia and heart palpitations are coflrmonly increased by high RF values.
6
-erGtG-:,=.
t
\F.
Have questions about smart meters? We have answers for you.
Smart meters are drgital meters that communicate wth Rocky Mountain Power through a secure wireless rretwor k.
As of 201? nearly 95 million advanced metering infrastructure, also known as smart meters, have been installed across
the United States.r About 88% of those installations were residential customers. Now we're joining the movement and
upgrading our existing electrrc meters to smart meters. T he technology is safe and secure and will provide you with
insights into your energy usage. Our upgraded metering technology will also help us deliver cleane[ more reliable energy
and fasten mort responsre sen'ice,
a A
HERE ARE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE QUESTTONS
YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY
No, snrad rleters transnrit data using low-watt radio frequency (RF) waves that are
proven to be safe and are well vrithin the limits se1 try the Federal Communications
Commissiotr.
Radio frequenc), waves a fcrrn o{ electronragnetic energ;,that nroves thr ough
space ate something v,/e encounter ev'et y day. They are used for evet ytlring f orl
r adro and television broadcasting to the r.ordless phones, cell phones, Wi-Fi routers,
garagn rlrl,1r1 oper)err. arrd tnictowave ov(:!ls we have itr riur lron-res,
I he World liealtlr ()t garrizatiorr has rorrcluded that no advelse health effects have
been found to re:;ult frorn exposure to k-,ry-level RF
What's mor e, -smatt meter,*tsnfrnrnit-=atevia They
outside, farlher from people than that use
RF. Plus, your home's or buildings walls fudl'rer rcduce RF exposure. Altogetlrex this
means that living in a house with a smart rneter provides very little exposure tr,. RF.'
Our smart meters arc very secule. No person:rl information, sqch as name or address,
is ever transmitted from smart rneters. We use advanced Sbcurity and encryption
technology to protect what is transmhted. ln addition, our security measures undergo
thirdparty audits to ensure your data is secure.
A
'-, r t,i - i ,. a'i''l'r, ,.i:.1.i
r..r-t: .i,ii ..:'' i;,r-','i
I ,-,,i:i , ,-,,,,1
only a few
l: I il r' i)i.lr :,'..ri i.ll
ir",i-)i l-lt,tit,: :, .r: l . -l'
.,t1,, .,,, i, :,'.,,i,,,-;
C;iii srlt,lri lncl(rrr l)tl
t..tst-'ri io it i ,':tli,.' i,t i
pl"i ,,,r:;' .lr'ral ' -i[-'r. " i-]l'l
I t,l'.^; I't"l-t t 1-.,i1-11 1-r-1p1,.v..')
We take our customers' privary very seriously. Our smart meters only gather and
transmit whole-house electrical usage information - the same information collected
by your old meter through our secure wireless network. For o<ample, if your home
used 3 kWh of electlcity in a given hour', the smart meterwould transmit "3 kwh,"
Smart meters cannot track or record individual appliance usage.
\y'/hile snrart meters have been tested to meet or exceed ANSI standards and certified
by UL testing labs, we go even further to protect our customers. Our metering team
and a third party provide additional rigorous testing.
For additional protectiorr, we ensure our team of installers are trained to follov precise,
step-by-step installation procedures. This includes checking your meter base befor.e
installing the nerru meter to make sure it is working safely and making needed repairs.
We also inspect both the install process and final installation.
For most customers, having a smart meter will not impact your bill. ln fact. the hour ly
details smart meter s pror,,rde r,rn help y,ou identify opportunhies to reduce your usage
and lower your bill.
Older analog meters (the l<rrd with dials rather than digital nunrbers), can slow as tlrey
age, causingthem to underreport electricity usage. Custorners who have these old
meters could see an increase due to accurate smart meter readings.
Wei-e installing smat I meters at no cost t<,r our custorners as part of our strategy to
modemize the power grid. l''lowever; if you do not wish to upgrade to a smart meter;
you may opt out for a one-tinre replacenrerrt fee plus a monthly fee that covers the
cost of manually readirrg r.he meler:
Less than one percent o[ <;ur rrrstorners opt out <.,f instalhng a smart rneten The fees
we charge cover the actual cost to provide individual service and meter reading to
ihose who opt out.
Hi,"'.. , ,tri I i ,c st tr'q.- +:' '
!.,t\:t trl{r:}\t \ ,l'r- 1i,'r)
Will rny nri)rlthl)/
brll bt l'riiircl'l
May I opt out oi havirtg
d. srYr?"r1 nreter irrstalle,-l?
FOR MORE INFORMATION i '
rocl(ymountai npower n etimete rupgrade i, l-866-869-8520
-I ROCKY IVIOUNTAIN
POWER
V't 'i,.) l, r l-l i rl.l l,'.;fg
How safe are smart meters? We sort out the myths and the facts.
Smart meters are alread r,rrorking safely in nearly 95 million homes and businesses across the United States. We waited
to install smart meters until we were confident the technology had fully matured and the meters would exceed all of our
safety and security standards.
HERE ARE SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT
SMART METER SAFETY AND THE FACTS THAT CORRECT THE MYTHS.
We all lirre with rcdio frequency (RF) waves wery day. RF is a form of eledromagnetic energy that moves
through space. and it's used {cr werything from radio and telwision broadcasting to the cell phones,
cordless phones, Wi-Fi routers, baby monitors, garage door openers and microwarre ovens in our homes.
Smart meters, which also use RF, are already safely tracking energy use in morc than half the homes in the
Unhed Staes. They've also been used safely for years in parts of Europe and other countries. These digital
meters transmit data using low-watt RF waves that are proven to be safe and comply with limits set by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
What do the experts say? The World Health Organization has concluded that no adrerse health effects
have been demonstrated to result from exposure to low-level RF energy such as that produced by smart
meters. ln addition, a report by the California Council on Science and Techrrology concluded: "Exposure
levels from smart meters ate well below the [FCC's standards] for such lheahh] effect1" and "There is no
evidence that additional standards are needed to protect the public from smart meters."l
It s good to understand a few other key facts about smart meters. First, they transmit RF enerjy only for
short periods each day at very low wattage, ln fact, an Electric Power Research lnsthute analysis of 42000
smart meters installed in California found that 99.5% of the me.ters were transrrritting for apprcrximately
three minutes or less daily.-'
I he Amer ican Cancer Society alscr notes that because the smart nieter is k>rated <;utside the home, people
ate much fartlrer away fronr the s(iur(e of RF waves tharr some other nrorc typical sources of exposure,
like a Wi-Fi router or cell phone.
Altogether: this me,rns that ltving in a house with a smart meter provides very little exposure to RF:
Typical RF Values'
a
sxANDhlGtr/Vo fEEIIiOnA$.t rlI IIETER
(BArSCtlrlE)
strTNGht^c rt
WTTHWl.f,:
l.l '2D( raoiE
JTAr\DnlGTlrc tlfl lNFhoNT
Of A I,IICIO/YA\E O/EN;
5S0X HORE
l.loLDtr\E AI.l ICTIVE CU."l
}}IO|.,|EIO\I'Ii HEADIl.l. I,l00x t{o*E
.scurre llcrhh lrprtr of Redro Frqumy too $rrorl Meterr Ly (a!(ori. (-qnJl m 5rts(c trdTecir,logyr Apd l0l l.
HOTDO,IGA\ilAlloFTAlJ(flOrout lrcAD:tt -4,600x lronE
Acconding to the Arrcrican Cancer Society, the amount of RF wares you could be o<posed to from a smart
meter is much less tlnn what you could be exposed to from a cell phone.3ir\l--r,
Fire concems were related to early-model smart meters from a different manufacturec not the model
or manufacturer we are using. We studied smart meters and waited to adopt the technology until it was
mature enough for us to confidently say that it erceeds all of our safety and seorrhy requirements. Today's
smart meters are safe and are alread being used in more than half the homes in the Unhed States.
Our smart meters are put through extensive testing to ensure their safe}. Not only do they meet or e><ceed
ANSI standads, they are certified by UL testing labs, they are tested by a third party, and our metering
team has made sure they are accurate and safe. We also requirc the meter manufacturerto test each meftr
prior to shipment, and we review all test results.
Our qualified installers follow precise, step-by-step installation procedures when switching out meters.
This indudes caref,rlly inspecting the meter base and making needed repairs before installing the new meten
We also use a socket jaw testen a specially designed tool that measures tension associated with installing a
meter into a socket. The tester provides immediate Gedback on wherther the socket jaw tension is adequateJ
L;1. | -
-:
vI 1., I,(' i"li,, :J J,-.ti.j
FOR MORE INFORt{AfiON on smart rn€ters, vrsit rod<.rrnounaanpowcr.nct/rtctcrupfadG
or call !-866-869-8520.
WE'VE UPGRADED
[ ;r.-.. -. - xr :'; '
Y@q,*'
v\ROCI<Y TUOUNTAINPOWER
We sort the myths from the facts regarding privacy, data and
smart meters.
New wireless smart meters track electric usage just like the old electric meters. t hey are already installed i1 nearly 95 rnillion
homes and businesses in the United States. Vy'e\'e studied smarl meters for years, and we *"ltud to install them until rve
r.. ere ccnficer.: the 1e:l,r.,,ic.g; had fuli;; mature<j and the metel-s ...yould exceed all of crur- safety, and security standards.
!._,_.
Pt-ovetttccliilOlcg;;i to (.'.'i \,c ;''CrLl l)i:t+.il-, ).it'-'li ,tt-;il :.','-i,l-r'l'
vI ROCKY MOUNTAINPOWER
Have questions about snlart metersl We have answers for you.
Snrartrnetersat'edigital rnelerj:'..,:.(r:"r',i::';i:r:te.,.:thp.6--g;.yl"lountairrPcra,ertl:rouglrdse(ure,wirelessltetwcltl<.
As of 2019, rrearly95 lrrilliorr,ic,arrre'j Ir)":.e':t:q:::{- as'itu.ture, als<, Lnowrr as srnalt rneters, ir.rve Lreetr installed across
the United States.r Abcut 88'., of tircse r:rsta.ll;.i"tl::n: .'.'ere : esidential customers. lrloiv, rryei'e jorrrirrg the movernerrt and
tupgradirrg our existing electric rretel s lc snlar't !-r ;eiers. T ire tec-l-rrrology rs safe a:rd secur e arrd v,,ill pr rrvide you witlr
insights into your energy usag,e. Our upgraded !'neter rng tecirnology will also lrelp us deliver clearrer; mor-e reliable energy
and faster; more responsive service,
lr..*
z]