Dear Editor,

Following is an open letter to Gary Murphy, chief project officer, Smart Metering Program:

Dear sir,

We are in receipt of your letter, dated Jan. 4, telling us that you will be coming soon to install a Smart Meter on our house. Please do not bother. We have signs posted and photos taken advising that anyone in our yard and touching our meter will be considered trespassing. We will not permit the installer entrance.

If BC Hydro truly believes that Smart Meters are the best way to deliver "safe, cost-effective" electricity, they would not have requested the government remove oversight of this program from the BCUC, and they would have presented documented, independent information to taxpayers, proving the meters are safe for use, instead of using intimidation tactics to require people to allow them.

Our position is maintained on the basis of our concern that the installation of a wireless Smart Meter and consequential emission of microwave radiofrequency emissions at or about our home will cause harm to ourselves and our family.

On May 31, 2011, the World Health Organization recognized that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are a Class 2B possible human cancer risk. Wireless Smart Meter emissions fall under this classification of emissions and risk.

After much research, we have decided that we are not comfortable with 24/7 exposure to EMFs in every aspect of our lives. Some places we can't avoid it, but we certainly can in our own home. In our opinion, it was BC Hydro's responsibility to discuss every aspect of this program before forcing it down our throats.

After the Liberals are gone and the NDP become government in May, we are positive they will introduce an opt-out option for people who have concerns like we do. Because of that, we will not permit you to enter our yard at this time to change the meter.

Lorne and Cheryl Baron, Maple Ridge