Once again, The Durango Herald failed to use fair and balanced journalism in the Nov. 20 and 30 stories covering La Plata Electric Association’s AMI/Smart Meter opt-out program.

During the last three years, the Herald has refused to publicly acknowledge and interview a group of concerned residents who, with their persistence, were able to get LPEA to offer the meter opt-out program. This group has enough evidence of intense safety and health concerns surrounding these meters from the world’s most respected health organizations and scientists to condemn them. This is why wall-to-wall litigation against the meters is taking place across the nation. More proof of problems has surfaced with personal testimonies from those who were not aware the meter change had taken place and are now causing serious illnesses and skyrocketing electrical bills.

The Herald recognizes ozone emissions as being a health concern (Dec. 12) but fails to acknowledge far worse health issues associated with AMI/Smart Meters. Electromagnetic radiation has gone out of control with the wireless industry, and is highly intensified inside your home with these new meters.

LPEA made the decision to change our electric meters and system without involving the co-op members, and now expects us to pay for their mistake resulting in antiquated expensive readings. Their self-read and $80 a year is another direct insult to the members who were never allowed to refuse the dangerous AMI/Smart Meter system from being installed to begin with. Reading our own meters monthly with LPEA confirming this once a year at no cost to the user is the only compromise to consider.

Dec. 17 is the deadline to submit your written objections to being forced to pay for LPEA’s extortion fees. Deliver your objection in person, and get a dated and signed copy from LPEA.

Len McDermitt

Durango