NV Energy (NVE) which was recently acquired by Warren Buffet's MidAmerica Energy Group has come under fire for harming the anti-smart meter activist Angel De Fazio.

Since the Spring of 2011, when NVE was put on notice regarding the detrimental effects of smart meters, they have claimed that their Sensus smart meters were safe. In fact, the NV Public Utilities Commission (PUC) opened two dockets regarding these meters which resulted in the public having the right to opt out of the smart meters and retain their safe and effective analog meters for a fee.

Sensus's own hand picked project manager sued Sensus over numerous safety issues regarding the smart meters they were installing in Alabama. [1] If Sensus didn't fully test for mechanical issues, it leads to the fact that they probably weren't tested for health safety.

De Fazio, President of the non-profit National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation had submitted and provided comments on the problems with the electro-magnetic radiation emitted by these meters.

On January 15, 2014, NVE installed a smart meter about 25 feet from her condo. Within 30-45 minutes after the smart meter's installation, the meter's radiation resulted in a 'stroke-like' effect impacting both her ability to speak and thought processes. De Fazio immediately notified both NVE & PUC and demanded they replace the meter in question.

On January 16, 2014, in an attempt to "control" possible negative information during future litigation, NVE informed the person working with De Fazio that he was no longer "ALLOWED" to communicate with her.

On January 17, 2014, 48 hours later, NVE removed the harmful smart meter and replaced it with the safer analog meter.

One can only speculate that NVE's executives knew they were going to be involved in future litigation over her injuries and were attempting to try and cut their possible losses.

In 2011, De Fazio formed the advocacy group NV Energy Stop Smart Meters. On numerous occasions, she stated "NVE better hope I never get injured by these meters."

De Fazio is still suffering from the effects of this meter and is being monitored to determine how much permanent damage has resulted from the exposure to this meter.

"Litigation will be enacted as soon as the residual effects of this exposure are finally determined," said De Fazio. During the Spring 2011 meeting with NVE, she told them "I will be your biggest nightmare over these devices" which manifested itself with the PUC granting the analog opt out in January 2013.

"Now, NVE has to deal with harming the one person who has stood up to them, and they know I will not back down. They shouldn't have harmed someone who isn't afraid of them," said De Fazio. [2]  "They may have influence over the PUC and legislatures/elected officials via campaign donations, but I can't be bought nor will I be silenced."

In December of 2011, NVE relied upon Exponent, a products defense firm, to provide testimony that the meters were safe. A short time later, in October 2012, these same meters installed at PECO were determined to be problematic.[3] Exponent is the same firm that claimed asbestos was safe which has now resulted in multi-million dollar class action litigation relating to the harm that Exponent 'testified' was not an issue. Assistant Secretary of OSHA, David Michaels, unveiled the history of Exponent's work as a bought-and-paid-for products defense firm in Chapter 5 of his book, "Doubt is Their Product". [4]

When NVE customers presented evidence to the PUC regarding the dangers of smart meters, Exponent cried out that the customers were cherry-picking which research papers were being present.  Talk about a pot calling the kettle black.  During Exponent's testimony, they failed to present any of the evidence regarding the dangers of electro-magnetic radiation. "The "cherry-picking" of research studies by Exponent is not going to protect Exponent and NVE from responsibility regarding the health effects of these dangerous meters," claims De Fazio.

 [1] http://www.national-toxic-encephalopathy-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SensusComplaint.pdf

[2] http://www.pucwatchdogs.com/public.htm

[3] http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-10/business/34343946_1_sensus-meters-sensus-devices-new-generation-meters

[4] http://www.national-toxic-encephalopathy-foundation.org/Chp5Doubt.pdf