SUBJECT LINE: URGENT—OPPOSE BILL 4354-A Dear Legislator, Please oppose Bill 4354-A, “An act to amend the public service law, in relation to advanced metering infrastructure devices for residential services.” The intent of Assemblyman DenDekker’s Bill 4354-A was to provide utility consumer privacy protection. However, the bill fails to include essential health, safety and property protection measures. A bill legislating utility infrastructure, that does not specifically include legally required electrical and fire safety standards and toxic exposure assessments, endangers people’s lives and property. Without all of the following additions, Bill 4354-A, must not be passed! * NFPA 70: National Electrical Codes and Standards: The bill must require that digital electronic meters comply with Federal and State electrical and fire safety codes and standards. * Underwriter’s Laboratory Approved: The bill must require that digital electronic utility meters be Underwriter’s Laboratory approved, or approved by another accredited safety laboratory. * Non-industry funded accurate testing. The bill must require non-industry funded accurate testing of whole body exposure to radiofrequency microwave (RF/ MW) emissions from digital electronic “smart” meters. * Allowing consumers to keep conventional analog meters. The bill must provide utility consumers the right to retain or recover conventional analog utility meters. Digital electronic utility meters, including “one-way” and two-way” are unsafe. As currently written, Bill 4354-A will replace one dangerous meter with another. I urge you, as my representative, to write a new utility meter bill that protects the health, safety, property and privacy of all New Yorkers. IMPORTANT RECENT NEWS regarding wireless health issues: On May 26, 2016, the National Toxicology Program (NTP), a Federal government agency, announced that its $25 million study has proven that wireless radiation causes cancer (read about it here). Discussions are currently underway between the relevant agencies, including the FCC and the FDA, about how to break this news to the public. The NTP is determined that a clear message be sent. Considering these findings, how can New York State Legislators allow utility companies to continue to force cancer causing utility meters on people in their homes and on their properties? All residents of New York State must have a safe choice and mechanical analog meters are the only safe meters. Contrary to utility industry claims, analog meters are still readily available. There are seven states in the US that are using analog meters as an alternative to to digital electronic "smart" meters. If Bill 4354-A is enacted, we can expect many more meter-caused injuries, fires, privacy violations and consumer complaints. For more information see: AN OVERVIEW OF SMART METER HAZARDS. Sincerely yours,