Some Burbank residents are stepping up their battle against the controversial smart meters, which are designed to relay usage data to a utility center. They call themselves “Burbank Action.” There is growing concern about charges the smart meters invade the privacy of residents, cause illnesses, and result in higher utility rates. The California Public Utilities Commission is looking into the issue.
Burbank Action is one of several groups sponsoring the forum for Southland residents at the Glendale Moose Lodge 357 Arden Avenue Glendale 91203 next Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m. The Burbank Action blog explains the forum this way: “Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles and Orange County residents have organized this event so that residents throughout Southern California can listen, learn and ask questions about the dangers of smart meters to our families.”
Forum guest speakers include Mindy Spatt, communications director of The Utility Reform Network (a utility watchdog group), Orlean Koehle author of “Just Say No to Big Brother’s Smart Meters,” and Cindy Sage, a health expert who has reportedlydone field studies that show smart meters can exceed FCC public safety standards.
Meanwhile, Burbank Water and Power is completing an aggressive plan to install smart meters throughout Media City at an estimated cost of $60 million. Despite complaints and objections from some residents, Burbank Action says BWP has “…only a temporary delay list that expires soon, and has not produced any options (for those residents on that list).”
