Wellington, a company contracted by PG&E, is installing Smart Meters in Sebastopol despite the fact that Sebastopol has asked for a moratorium twice; that Sebastopol council supports a Smart Meter community wide opt out; and that the CPUC has a proceeding pending to investigate the possibility of community opt-out.
Yesterday morning residents at Burbank Heights and Orchards (senior housing community) and Sebastopol residents chased off an installer, who admitted he had only two weeks training and was not an electrical contractor, which is a requirement for FCC safety conditions. 83% of the residents there opposed the meters. As he was leaving he said he was going to file a police report, and when I brought the camera out he got in his truck and left.
Two more Wellington trucks were on Murphy Street, where two men were installing gas smart meters. When I approached them they did not answer any of questions. They eventually packed up their stuff and left, putting the analog gas meter back together. See video here:
Smart Meter installers drive small white Wellington Ford Ranger trucks. They are installing throughout Sebastopol now. There were at least three trucks in town today. It appears the installers have been instructed to vacate a scene if they are approached. They also seem to leave town if followed, rather than going to the next house to install. They seem to fear cameras and questions.
If you see an installer you can ask these questions: Are you a licensed electrical contractor? Did you know Sebastopol asked for a moratorium on Smart Meters twice? Did you know there's a CPUC proceeding that's investigating a community opt- out program? Did you know that the Sebastopol council supports community opt out? Help us keep Smart Meters out of Sebastopol.
Tonight Tuesday Feb 5 at 6 pm is a council meeting at the Sebastopol teen center. Please join us at public comments and let's ask if they can take some action to ban the meters after all.
Gratefully,
Sandi