PG&E Abandons Smart Mtr Facility Following Protests in SCruz Cty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1st, 2010 Contact: Joshua Hart, Director, Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters
E-mail: joshuanoahhart[at]gmail[dot]com

PG&E FORCED TO ABANDON SMART METER STAGING AREA AFTER FOUR DAYS OF PROTESTS
"PG&E can run, but they can't hide from a growing consensus that 'smart' meters are a health hazard"

On Tuesday, for the fourth straight day, Santa Cruz County residents alarmed by forced trespass of microwave radiation on their homes managed to disrupt PG&E's attempted installation of smart meters in Santa Cruz County. On Monday, there were nearly several arrests at the Wellington yard after local residents blocked trucks from leaving the facility and sheriff's deputies were called. At the last minute, PG&E called off the sheriff and sent the workers home in an attempt to avoid any further bad publicity that has been plaguing the smart meter program. Later Monday afternoon, after the protesters had dispersed, the workers arrived by bus and drove the installation trucks to a secret location, from which they continue to install the meters against the wishes of local governments and the public.

"PG&E can run, but they can't hide from public opinion." said Joshua Hart, director of Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters. "Elected officials in all four cities as well as the county government have demanded a halt to the smart meter program until hearings on public health, accuracy and privacy can be held. We are calling for citizens to help us with a 'Wellington Watch' so we can find out where PG&E is hiding its smart meter trucks. Wherever they are, we will find them and we will carry out 'civil obedience' to enforce the democratic will of the public. The time is right to intervene in order to protect ourselves from the health damage, increased rates, and invasion of privacy that these meters are responsible for."

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is expected to release a report at its meeting on Thursday presenting results from an investigation into the accuracy problems that have been plaguing the smart meter program. An administrative law judge is also expected to rule on a petition by San Francisco and a number of other local governments demanding a moratorium on any further 'smart' meter installation.

New video coverage of the protests and more information about the growing resistance against smart meters can be found at: http://stopsmartmeters.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/video-coverage-of-santa-cruz-county-protests/

The following local governments, politicians, and organizations are calling for a moratorium, have enacted a ban, or are opposing Smart Meters:


The Utility Reform Network, State Senator Dean Florez, the City and County of San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Marin County Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, the cities of Sebastopol, Berkeley, Cotati, Fairfax, Santa Cruz, Piedmont, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Watsonville, Sausalito, Belvedere, Monte Sereno, Novato, Richmond, Ross, Bolinas, Camp Meeker, the Peace and Freedom Party, the Marin Association of Realtors and The EMF Safety Network.