Smart meter health concerns are causing ‘a buzz’ in city

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

With the Naperville City Council set to vote Tuesday on the bill of rights for the smart grid initiative, some residents still are raising health concerns surrounding the project.

The proposal would put in writing the rights electrical customers in Naperville would have regarding information, privacy, options and data security under the new system.

Proponents of the smart grid say the project, which will upgrade the electrical infrastructure in the city, will lead to more efficient energy use and save money on customers’ monthly electric bills.

Some opponents have been concerned about the meter to be used to keep track of energy use at homes and businesses, saying there are still bugs to be worked out. Others have brought up potential health risks involved with the equipment.

Lisa Rooney of Naperville is concerned that the bill of rights “doesn’t address health concerns” and that is a “key component that needs to be added.”

“If the (meters) are installed and residents experience health concerns, such as headaches ... there doesn’t seem to be any recourse,” she said.

She said some people seem to be “electro-sensitive,” and are affected more than others by the use of wireless technology such as cell phones and other devices. She believes the meters could aggravate those problems.

Sue Storm of Naperville said she has sensitivity to radio frequency transmissions. She said it is almost like an allergy. When she is around the transmissions she can get headaches, ringing in the ears and other symptoms. She is worried about what a new smart meter might mean to her lifestyle. Right now, she has to avoid Wi-Fi hot spots and has everything in her house hard wired. The new meter would make her life even more difficult, she said.

Proponents of the system, however, say the amount of radio frequency current generated by smart meters is relatively low, lower even than cell phones. They also point to several studies, including one from the California Council on Science and Technology, which say that the meters pose no health risk.

Rooney said she understands that there are “so many studies and opinions out there” on both sides of the smart meter issue.

“I think with any emerging technology (such as smart grid) that we should be proceeding with caution, and allow people choices on how much technology they use,” she said.

She would like to see residents able to opt out of the system for health and possibly other reasons.

City Councilman Robert Fieseler, who sits on the Smart Grid Steering Committee, said he takes health concerns about the meters seriously as well.

“It is generating a lot of buzz,” he said about the issue.

He said customers with health issues should have those matters addressed in some fashion.

“I think the prudent thing to do is to work on mitigation options” for those with concerns, he said. That doesn’t mean opting out of the system, he said.

According to Fieseler, the Public Utility Advisory Board may be a venue for people to bring concerns once the system is up and running.

However, although he said he is “open minded” to potential health issues, he believes the weight of evidence shows there to be no significant health or safety concerns from smart meters.

Despite that, he believes the health issue concerning smart meters needs to be discussed.

“I truly believe we need to have this aired,” he said.