Snohomish PUD smart meters are a boondoggle

Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p..m., the Snohomish Public Utility District will accept public questions and comment on a proposed smart meter program. Call 253-215-8782. The meeting ID is 947 0481 5983. The password is 886302. Send questions to: emailcommissioners@snopud.com.

The plan is to sell $100 million in bonds to install smart meters. But smart meters are not smart. Unlike analog meters, they run constantly, so they use more electricity and will raise rates. Smart meters are not grounded, have insufficient surge protection, cost more, wear out quicker, can be hacked, are made of plastic, and catch fire.

They broadcast up to 190,000 times daily, reporting on our every electrical behavior. Data collected can be sold. They violate our right to privacy. Some people are hyper-sensitive and are made miserable.

It is impossible to buy insurance against all the harms that smart meters cause. They exceed the scope of the original utility easement and reduce property values. It is costly to opt out, and many are not allowed to opt out. PUD staff is fully supportive of this boondoggle.

If you do not believe my assertions, review my reports found at www.JamesRobertDeal.org/smart-meters.

James Robert Deal

Lynnwood

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