Posted on 07/19/2012 3:41:33 PM PDT by Rennes Templar
A woman in Texas says she tried to be polite when she told the man from the power company that she didn't want to have her old electric meter replaced with a new "smart" meter. But when he refused to listen to her, she grabbed her gun.
The woman tells Houston's KHOU that she placed herself between the installer and her old meter but, "He just kept pushing me away."
That's when she showed him her handgun.
"He saw it, and went back the other way," she tells KHOU.
The homeowner says she is not comfortable with the amount of information smart meters transmit back to the power company.
"Our constitution allows us not to have that kind of intrusion on our personal privacy," she explains. "They’ll be able to tell if you are running your computer, air conditioner, whatever it is."
The woman still has her old meter and she and her husband have posted warning signs declaring "No Smart Meters Are to Be Installed On This Property," but CenterPoint, the power company that attempted to install the meter says it will persist in its efforts.
"We are deeply troubled by anyone who would pull a gun on another person performing their job," reads a statement from the company. "CenterPoint will be taking additional steps – including court actions – because what happened is dangerous, illegal and unwarranted."
KHOU reports that CenterPoint Energy already installed around 2 million smart meters in the area, but the local Public Utilities Commission is now weighing the possibility of allowing homeowners to have the new meters removed.
Not if they have an easement to read or service the meter, which they do.
I work for CenterPoint but not familiar enough with the electrical side of the business. I do know that the new smart meters will allow for better monitoring of the electrical use especially for emergency power outages. Centerpoint wants to sale electricity to make money and by installing the smart meters it will eliminate a lot of meter reading. Also I would look for this to happen with gas distribution meters in the future also.The meter is owned by CenterPoint, they could just shut the juice off but if I know CenterPoint they will just go on to the next person and leave them alone for a while. Also CenterPoint will not allow us to carry firearms in our company trucks, I do think they need to adjust that policy because they lost a lineman a couple of years ago who was robbed and shot while making a call. Of course in this case you just leave that is what I would have done, but once you get the smart meter you will not see the electric man at your house unless the meter needs repairing. Your humble CenterPoint servant:)
not illegal to buy.
illegal to run full time in a non-emergency
“I cannot understand why there is this fear of the smart meter.”
The smart meter is the camel’s nose under the tent. We have them ( both gas and electricity). The electric meter is the most likely to invade your privacy. Now we are being “admonished” with some miniscule financial inducement to “join” the utility’s program to conserve by allowing them to control our air conditioning equipment. They have to install some sort of transponder on the equipment that would allow them to turn it off at will. We have ignored them, but like the woman in the story, who was told “they will be back when she is not home,” they will continue to go at this “voluntarily” but when that doesn’t achieve the desired compliance, they will get the legislature to pass a law abrogating our right to privacy because it’s good for the environment, or the children, or some other equally nonsensically insane ploy.
Carrying a gun will get you fired quicker then you can spell gun when reading meters.
You may carry mace to use against dogs but that is it.
He better keep his lips zipped
Anyone want to participate in a pool re how long it will be before a rock goes through that imbecile's roof?
I spent several summers trying to end calls from the power company to my elderly parents. They were threatening them with fines if they used their A/C between certain hours. My parents don’t even HAVE a smart meter on the electricity, only on the gas. My parents were so upset by these calls, and they need to stay cool due to health issues.
You see, the power line sends fresh electrons through the meter to each of your lamps and appliances.
Now, every lamp or appliance uses its electrons in a slightly different way, and this ends up discoloring them uniquely for each appliance.
Here’s what the Electricity Ministry doesn’t want you to know: The Smart Meter examines the used electrons coming back to it from all of your appliances, and sorts them by color. Therefore, it knows what you’ve been doing with your electrons, and tattles on you about it to the Ministry.
“a company touting the “awesomeness” of smart meters,’
The technology of security is increasing almost exponentially. Look at drones. What will they be like in ten years? If you own a large estate, there will probably be drones available for your personal security use that fly 24/7. Then there will be the risk of your droned being hacked. So new drone anti-hacking security will be needed.
And that’s just one scenario.
Companies have engineers, researchers, scientists, working on these things 24/7. Why? because there’s good money to be made. I’m all for that, but serious constitutional issues will arise.
Exactly. If a utility has a meter on your property, then the utility needs to have access to it. I don’t know how others work, but I would assume most wouldn’t show up un-announced (sheduled readings, meter changes, etc.), unless in an emergency situation.
Aren’t these meters optional? Our provider has them and thermostats, but they’re not mandatory (yet!).
We just received a letter from our utility company asking for permission to install a smart meter on our air conditioner unit(also our heater). I think as owners of the electrical supply the company does have a right to say how they will monitor and charge for the electricity. However, when the company starts telling me how I can use their (and there are questions about that) product to the extent of modifying my equipment their ‘service’ goes far beyond just supplying a product and service. My wife and I have decided to tell the company thanks ($50) but no go on some other dudes telling us how we use what we buy.
As someone that recently worked for a company that manufactured smart meters of all kinds (electric, gas and water), I can say that they have looked at ways to sell that information. A big one is possibly selling information to insurance companies which could be used to pattern behavior.
Imagine the insurance companies seeing an increase in electricity consumption every Saturday and Sunday morning at approximately 2:30am, which is about the time you get home from the bar. You come in turn on several lights, maybe whip up some early breakfast, etc.
Just another tool to let them pattern your behavior. There are some benefits to technology, but the negatives are even worse.
“Private Industry”? It’s a government enforced monopoly. When I can choose from a group of energy providers you will actually have a point.
| How about a two man pool? Rock falls through the roof in the first year: I give you 10K.
Anytime after that you give me 10K. Given your boast the rules are kinda skewed in your favor but I don't care. What do you say, punk? |
| Oops, I already must have rocks in my head. I called you a punk when I meant to call you an ignorant punk. |
i don’t think this is semantics but if she showed him a gun, say in her hand hanging at her side pointed to the ground, i think that is different than pulling a gun on him which i think means poiting it at him. but i work with technical writers and we have a need for precision in verbage.
“If he was on her property and she told him to leave, he was trespassing.”
I don’t know. Public utilities are granted easements by states to get to their property. I’ll be looking for a follow-up to the story.
Be careful, Tex. You messin’ with the baddest dude on the Internet. He’s got tattoos to prove it.
And most utilities post a notice a day or two before the work starts.
My sons elec bills have gone up 30% since last summer
since he had a smart meter installed...
also when I went to visit several months ago in 2 days I became to hurt so much and had terrible headaches and had trouble sleeping at night...
I am sensitive to cell phones and don’t use them...
I happened to look at his meter and noticed it was a smart meter..
I moved to the bedroom the most distance from the meter
and the problems were 90% reduced and 100% by the next night
I was happy to get back to the country where we don’t have smart meters
Around here the power company has all kinds of radio commercials with some idiot stating that the new smart meters will allow us to make “smart decisions” about how and when to use electricity.
I can do that now, thank you.
Always remember that there is more than one way to skin a cat besides sticking the cats head in a boot-jack & yanking on the tail.
Time is coming to start getting creative folks cause the politicians view you as a peasant who has a DUTY to kiss ass & suck d*ck & if you object to loudly they are not above using the police power of the state to give you a lesson in good manners.
Brother is sporting a new Mittens tattoo, last I heard. Damn shame.
This whole thing is a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT for Texas. First of all, pulling a gun on someone that is not breaking the law is simply WRONG and is very risky. What if he had his own gun, for example? This lady likely will get arrested and jailed, and should.
Having said that, like most others here, I LOVE HER!!! She will be taking the arrows for millions of us who don’t want a criminal record attached to our names. Believe me, I DEFINITELY do not want a “Smart Meter”, and when the guy came (and I was home) I asked if I had a choice - he said no - and that was as far as I went.
Now, what is the RIGHT answer. Well, in a PROPERLY FUNCTIONING state, the state government would have examined just what these meters are and what risks they pose (such as virtually telling anyone accessing their data when the homeowners are at work or are on vacation). Then, in a PROPERLY FUNCTIONING state, a means would have been created to allow concerned people to opt out. In other words, this lady would have paid, maybe $10 a month more for power, and would NOT have had to draw on the poor installer.
But we’re talking Texas here. We have a TOTAL LOSER as a governor, and the VERY LAST thing that he’s concerned about is the privacy of Texans (heck, he’s trying to impose a GPS vehicle tracking system on us, for tolling). So no hope there. In addition, he has his share of bitches in the state legislature, with Dewhurst just finding out now that his chances of making it to the US Senate basically died with his sucking up.
It is really sad that California, of all states, has done more to protect homeowner privacy than Texas. For in California, people can opt-out (and they don’t need a gun to do it), just by asking and paying a fee for the guy to come by and read the meter.
“...intruding on people’s property at the point of a gun to install something they believe will harm them...”
Talisker, I cannot believe you posted what I am reading...did you read tgusa’s post? Did you understand it? His nephew was a meter reader in a nasty neighborhood, and after being hassled/threatened on several occasions, he got a CCW for protection when making his rounds. He was not installing anything...he was reading meters. Got a problem with that? Got a problem with the nephew being ready to protect himself doing his job?
Where is the ‘ignorance’...
Yes, God bless her total ignorance. Those meters transmit at about 20 milliwatt at 2.4 Ghtz while the cell phone she holds to her ear transmits at 5 watts at 2.4 Ghtz.
Ignorance is bliss, and they vote.
I agree with you. If she doesn’t want the electricity, which she’s not entitled to, get her own form of electricity.
I had one installed just the other day and I’m not losing any sleep over it. We also have a generator.
At least there’s spam
At least there’s spam
“The problem is easily solves, if you do not want what a private industry is selling then don’t buy, you can always buy your own generator, or get solar or wind power, the world survived before AC/DC”
Hopefully you’re joking. There is a good reason to be hooked up to the utility in just about every spot in the country - and it has to do with cost. You post reminds me of the nannies that tell us to come to a full stop at red lights, if we have problems with cameras there. I assume you also agree with them.
“(after all.. someone has to claim the body)”
Got a backhoe?
The city came out and replaced our water meter. Our next bill showed four times our normal usage. It took me almost two years fighting with the water dept, my city councilman and the mayor’s office before they came out and looked at it. Fortunately they found a bad meter and paid me back my overcharges.
??????????????????//
There are PLENTY of articles on it. Some are very frightening...nearly all are true, and what these meters can do is even beyond what most people can imagine. Do you homework - we’re not replacing meters en-masse for the hell of it.
“There is some merit to load balancing but this is a method to force you to make the “right choice” via significantly higher energy costs during times of high demand.”
I have a rather elaborate load balancing meter in my home (it is my load balancing meter, not the utilities), but I control it and set it how I want it. Not the same of course as these environazi’s doing it.
LOL...
“In my state, if one has electric service to a residence, the provider has an easement and they can access and alter their equipment at their will. Hard to believe it’s different anywhere else.”
It’s not. One is more than welcome to “take out” the utility guy changing a meter here in Texas. But if you do, we do have a single drug for you (now) in Huntsville and it will be painful as you checkout.
People do need to understand that an EASEMENT is a RIGHT of people to enter your property. If you don’t like it, then get rid of their need (i.e., get off the grid) - but as long as you’re on the grid, they have the right to service their equipment, and that does (unfortunately) include the changing out of meters.
ding ding ding ding ding....winner winner winner!!!
Assault by contact should be charged against the installer...
The good news is that if a home owner is allowed to have the option to getting the old style manual meter back, then it is a boom for the meter reader union...hehehe.../sarc
Its a jobs program...right???
That is not the second amendment, that is a fool in action
No smart meter, no juice
Or keep your old meter and pay a $100 meter reading fee
No problem. Even Texans who live in the Piney Woods know how to shove a rock... ‘-)
No problem. Even Texans who live in the Piney Woods know how to shove a rock... ‘-)
No wonder they lobby so hard...
|
Too bad you don't have the stones to back up your yap. |
Nothing that can operate a motor but you could still turn on your lights, heat your water and, of course run your burners if not your microwave.
No motors no motors no motors no motors. No AC No AC No AC No AC No AC. No fridge No fridge NO fridge. No microwave No microwave No microwave.
Businesses operating a monopoly under the aegis of a PUBLIC utility commission are not "private." In some respects, they resemble more a private contractor for government than they do a private company.
More proof of this. I have lived in cities where a lot of the upper level jobs at the gas company and electric company are held by relations and friends of the prominent political hacks in town. Utilities were patronage havens and hack havens
Utilities and their emissaries have no respect for persons.
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