Smart Meter Legislation

Letter to the Editor: 

As you probably know, I am deeply concerned about public health and safety. I care about my constituents, and that love comes from by profound love of God and my love for the rights that this great country was founded on. So long as I am able, I will continue to advocate for health, safety, rights, liberty and well-being of my fellow citizens.

Last year I introduced legislation, as an advocate for our rights, for individuals to be able to opt-out of using smart meters. I also encouraged everyone who agreed with that stance to support the “Smart Meter Opt-Out Option” that would have allowed Marylanders to retain or restore their analog meters. My bill will make this permanent with no cost to the consumer. After last year’s bill was unable to reach enough support, the PSC granted a tempory Opt-Out. These meters are not safe or reliable, and will cost consumers more on their utility bills.

The new smart meters are potentially neither of those things. Since they are potentially unsafe to the most vulnerable among us: children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with compromised immune system and medical implants, I wanted to give all Marylanders, but especially those most vulnerable the right to opt-out. I believe the utility companies have an obligation to all Marylanders, and especially those vulnerable among us to have that right.

I recently had a conversation with Jonathon Libber of  www.marylandsmartmeterawareness.org about a smart meter in Montgomery County that got so hot it sounded like the sizzling noise associated with cooking bacon; these meters have cought fire in other states, and have overheated in Maryland.  Now I like cooking bacon as much as the next man, but I’d prefer it come from a grill and not my utility meter. I also recently spoke with a professor who discussed the legitimate privacy concerns regarding these smart meters, and their susceptibility to manipulation or worse, identity theft. I also have a grave concern that since utility companies keep all customer personal usage, this information could fall in the wrong hands and be harvested and marketed.

Another aspect of that legislation would have stopped the utilities companies from charging Marylanders hundreds of dollars per year to opt out. Marylanders should not be fined for exercising their inalienable god-given rights promulgated in the Declaration of Independence to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Marylanders should not have to pay one penny to keep cancer and other serious health risks out of their lives.

I will be meeting further with Mr. Libber as well as the Speaker to work out the best course of action to facilitate the passage this legislation. With your help as well as God’s help, we can win this fight!

Your Servant and Delegate,

Glen Glass