Dive Summary:
- On Wednesday, the Texas House of Representatives weighed an amendment to "cease and desist" legislation, also known as the "sunset" bill, which would allow utility customers to opt-out of mandatory smart meter installations for free.
- A heated verbal skirmish broke out in the House as smart meter opponents linked smart meter's with adverse health effects while simultaneously citing a lack of research on the subject; meanwhile, legislators repeatedly referenced an unnamed "outside influence" that wanted the "cease and desist" bill defeated.
- After the wrangling was over, the House rejected the smart meter amendment while also giving preliminary approval to the "sunset" bill, 139-6, to extend the Public Utility Commission's authority by 10 years and give it "cease and desist" powers.
From the article:
"... And Simpson continually brought up the radio frequency signals emitted by the meters. He suggested that pacemakers could be affected and that the meters may be connected to autism.
Round Rock Republican Rep. Larry Gonzales, who has a son with autism, challenged Simpson and demanded proof. Simpson backed off and acknowledged he wasn’t an expert on the disorder.
But 'we didn’t know a whole lot about smoking for many years,' Simpson added. ..."