Letter to the Editor: Smart Meter Opponents Support Infrastructure Updates

There have been a few misrepresentations of the Naperville Smart Meter Awareness (NSMA) group's position on smart meters vs. smart grid.  I wanted to take a moment to provide the community clarification and some additional comments.

The recently filed referendum (supported by over 4,000 residents) reads:  

“Shall the immediately and permanently stop the implementation of the $22 million smart meter project and dismantle all related equipment?” 

Not the "smart grid." This is an important distinction.  NSMA has always been in support of infrastructure upgrades, substation automation, and distribution automation as necessary to deliver reliable electricity to the city of Naperville. 

Having less that 18 minutes of downtime in 2010 is a strong testament to the reliability of our current grid system, of which upgrades have been made over the years.

NSMA is opposed to the mandatory installation of wireless smart meters, which are only a component of the grid. This is a technology that, in its current form and with the wireless mesh network, is highly controversial, potentially injurious to the residents of Naperville, and not a necessary component to provide reliable electric service at this time. NSMA continues to advocate for choice in this matter and to have any component related to the system installed in the safest manner possible. 

In the upcoming weeks you will likely begin to see dialogue from the council in an effort to confuse the language of the proposed referendum. Grant Wherli, in particular, has requested several work orders of city staff wanting to understand the cost of dismantling the entire smart grid system, including substation automation and distribution automation.  

In our opinion, this is misdirected effort, wasted time, money and burden on city staff. Grant has attempted to discredit the NSMA in the past, stating that we distribute misinformation to the public, when in fact he has delivered false information to the public about this project.  One such instance was his statement about the World Health Organizations stance on the carcinogenic effect of the radiation emitted by wireless devices, such as smart meters. 

As the council continues to try to garnish public support for such a highly controversial project, we expect to see continued attempts to discredit NSMA, embarrass and intimidate residents who speak out against this project, and to confuse the language of the proposed referendum come voting time.

NSMA is solely concerned with the smart meter implementation and the wireless mesh network components, including the tropos units which are already approximately 90 percent installed in our city. There is no language in the referendum question that suggests dismantling substation and distribution automation equipment.

The provisions of the Department of Energy contract allow the city to obtain a one year extension on the grant, as well as the ability to get out of the contract with little cost to the city.  

Considering the national and international controversy about smart meters and the more than 4,000 residents that want the opportunity to vote on this project, we cannot understand why our city council would be willing to continue to move forward with this project at this time.

In fact, we join numerous residents in expressing shear disbelief and outrage in Councilman Bob Fielseler's reported comments after the referendum was filed, 
his statement is a disgrace to public officials and to the democratic process. Public officials who are so blantly willing to disregard the will of the people have no business holding the privilege of public office.

Lisa Rooney