commentCalifornia’s Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is again coming under fire for its use of wireless-equipped smart meters, this time in the form of a class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed by Northern California electromagnetic radiation consulting firm Wilner & Associates, lists ten grievances ranging from alleged misrepresentation of radio frequency (RF) levels emitted by the meters to alleged unlawful use of property. The filing also claims PG&E has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by allegedly ignoring the rights of customers who suffer from medical symptoms they believe are caused by electromagnetic radiation from the meters.
The lawsuit calls for more than $2 million in sanctions, $10,000 fines per customer regarding various allegations of health-related discrimination, and requirements that PG&E obtain written consent for every smart meter installed and provide an analog meter at no cost to any customer who requests one.
Recent research shows that RF emissions from smart meters are within federal limits for such emissions and below the levels emitted by other devices that are commonly used in and around homes (see Radio Frequency Exposure from Smart Meters Very Low, Says Study).
Copyright 2011 by BuildingGreen, Inc.
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