Utility Refunds “Smart” Meter Opt-Out Fees to EMF Disabled Customer. ADA Prohibits Surcharges for Disabled People.

By B.N. Frank

American utility companies have received BILLIONS in federal stimulus money to install “Smart” Meters – electric, gas, and water. Companies also often increase customer rates for their installation (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and replacement. “Smart” Meters are 2-way wireless transmitting which allows utilities to collect minute-by- minute customer usage data which they can analyze in order to market more products and services to customers as well as sell to 3^rd parties (see 1, 2). Utilities may also remotely turn off services and ration customer usage with these meters. Because of the 2-way transmitting feature, these meters create high levels of harmful electromagnetic radiation (see 1, 2, 3, 4). This has led to numerous reports about health issues in people and animals after they have been installed (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). A growing number of Americans want traditional analog meters – not “Smart” Meters or digital meters with the RF turned off.

Many utilities now allow customers to “opt out” of “Smart” Meters because of all the complaints and lawsuits (see 1, 2). Duke Energy customers in North Carolina do NOT have to pay opt-out fees when they provide medical statements confirming that “Smart” Meters will make them sick. A judge has allowed a discrimination case to proceed against a Maine utility that won’t waive fees for a customer with cancer. Now a California utility is refunding opt-out fees to one of its disabled customers.

From Environmental Health Trust:

Electric Company PG&E Refunds Smart Meter “OPT-OUT” Fees to EMF Disabled Customer

NEWS RELEASE

April 22, 2021

For immediate distribution

PG&E REFUNDS SMART METER “OPT-OUT” FEES TO EMF-DISABLED CUSTOMER

On April 16, Pacific Gas and Electric refunded Smart Meter “opt-out” fees paid by the family of Nina Beety who is disabled by electromagnetic sensitivity. Beety requested disabled accommodation from PG&E to have analog electromechanical meters on her family’s home when the company initiated its wireless Smart Meter roll-out in her community. She explained that EMF-emitting devices cause her disabling health effects. PG&E ignored Beety’s requests for disabled accommodation, and refused to allow residential customers to have analog, non-digital meters without paying a so-called “opt-out” fee. The family was forced to pay $415. in fees to avoid Smart Meters on their home.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits surcharge fees for disabled people.

When PG&E filed for bankruptcy in 2019, Beety’s family then filed a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court for the “opt-out” fees they paid, stating the claim basis as “Smart Meter opt-out fees that were unlawful surcharges against a disabled person (ADA Title II Technical Assistance Manual, II-1.3000 Relationship to title III)”

PG&E objected to this claim, and on February 25, 2021, asked the court to expunge it. “The simpler Customer Bar Date Notice made clear that Customers were not required to file Proofs of Claim for ordinary and customary refunds, overpayments, billing credits, deposits, or similar billing items. The Customer No Liability / Passthrough Claims listed on Exhibit 1 arise from either (1) Customer Security Deposits or (2) Claims that arise from Customer Billing Disputes…Accordingly, for the reasons set forth herein, the Customer No Liability / Passthrough Claims should be expunged because, in accordance with the Bar Date Order, they will be resolved in the ordinary course.”

On March 24, 2021, Beety submitted this timely Response to the Bankruptcy Court:

Our claim is not an “ordinary and customary” customer billing item. We have a special type of billing claim dispute that rises on the fact that I am disabled, and unlawful charges were placed on the household account that interfered with my disabled accommodation. Those unlawful charges were surcharges that are not allowed under the ADA/ADAA and FHAA.

This is a meritorious disabled rights claim that was never resolved. It should be resolved by a full and complete refund.

Closing my claim would be yet another burden, abrogating my civil rights.

Please ensure that my rights are protected.

Faced with a federal judge who had read Beety’s response, PG&E withdrew its objection to the family’s claim to the Bankruptcy Court and did not further contest it (recorded in Judge Dennis Montali’s ruling, April 5, 2021).

On April 20, Beety’s family received a full refund check from PG&E for the $415. surcharge fee, plus $24.17 interest which they had not requested. It is noteworthy that this refund was not a percentage of claim or pennies on the dollar which bankruptcy claims often receive, but a complete refund with interest.

It took facing a bankruptcy judge in court for PG&E to quit fighting and refund fees that were unlawful surcharges under the ADA and that discriminate against disabled people.

Beety said, “With this action, PG&E and other utilities must now halt their practice of charging unlawful “opt-out” surcharge fees to customers disabled by electromagnetic sensitivity or who have other EMF-sensitive medical conditions, and the companies must refund all unlawful surcharge fees already paid by these disabled customers. Utilities must allow the simple, readily achievable, and reasonable disabled accommodation of analog, electromechanical, non-digital utility meters for all disabled persons who require them.”

Many legislators have taken action against “Smart” Meters for various reasons (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Online documentary Take Back Your Power provides more horrifying details.

Approximately 57% of Americans have “Smart” Meters and companies plan to install tens of millions more. Opposition to these meters is worldwide.

Activist Post reports regularly about “Smart” Meters and other unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites: