By Nancy Baer
Sedona Smart Meter Awareness
(January 18, 2014)
APS will begin installing Automated (Smart) Meters in Cottonwood area beginning Monday. After that, Sedona will probably be next. APS will give one-day notice by hanging a tag on your door.
If you have a blue tag on your analog meter (see photo following), you will be safe. If not, even if you have opted out (e.g., refused), you’ll need to send another written notice to APS and to the Arizona Corporation Commission via mailmaster@azcc.gov, with copies to Commissioner Brenda Burns burns-web@azcc.gov and Gary Pierce pierce-web@azcc.gov stating that you have opted out, but did not receive a blue tag on your analog meter. Here’s why this is important.
The opt out fee will be determined by the total number of rate payers who have refused smart meter installations and have a blue tag. If the total number of rate payers opting out is low, APS will ask for a higher opt-out fee. Therefore, the utility is discouraging rate payers from opting out by telling them that currently there is no option to opt out, or saying that rate payers don’t need a blue tag.
APS will attempt to justify that a high opt out fee is necessary because so few ratepayers have opted out.
The greater the number of people formally opting out, the lower the cost to read the meter.
It is unconscionable that the Arizona Corporation Commission is allowing APS to continue installing Smart Meters in the face of research documenting the dangers and Health Agencies in other states recommending to their commissions that the state or county refuse Smart Meters until they are proven safe.
Please share this with all of your contacts ASAP. This is your last chance to keep your analog meter.