Refused to install smart meters: Power supply terminated by network operator
Outage at the Veterinarian's Office
Whoa, things are heating up in Mistelbach! Veterinarian Elisabeth Heymann experienced a power outage dead in the middle of her practice on Monday morning, smack dab during a treatment. The culprit? Her old power meter's calibration had expired, and she refused to get a modern smart meter. Despite multiple reminders from Netz Niederösterreich, she held her ground. When the network operator stepped in, they cut the power to her practice and home – yep, you guessed it, causing quite the stir from the vet.
Fear of Being Spied On
Heymann is cautious of the technology. She thinks that a smart meter would invade her privacy, "and then they'll always know when I'm home!" she complained in an interview with ORF NO. She even turns her nose at the offered "opt-out" option, where data is only transmitted once a year. For Heymann, the power outage is a disaster: X-ray machines are silent, fridges can't keep drugs cool. Her practice is currently forced to shut down.
Legal Action Threatened
Heymann isn't backing down: Together with her lawyer Gottfried Forsthuber, she's planning to take legal action against the power cut. He references ongoing proceedings before the European Court of Justice (EuGH) and criticizes the power cut as "illegal." Moreover, there are two pending cases before district courts. Forsthuber demands: Until the final conclusion, the power needs to be restored. He also insists that an approved, conventional power meter – as is common in France or Belgium – should still be allowed. However, Netz Niederösterreich remains resolute: Old mechanical devices no longer meet the new requirements.
Privacy Concerns and the Law
While it's tricky to determine the legal implications for veterinarians specifically in Austria, let's dig into some general information that might apply in a case like this:
- Regulations and Compliance: Utilities are often required to install smart meters as part of energy efficiency initiatives. Refusing them may not be in line with these regulations, potentially leading to legal issues.
- Data Privacy: If veterinary practices deal with sensitive information, concerns about data privacy related to smart meters might arise, but these concerns are usually more common for consumer data.
- Contractual Obligations: Businesses commonly have contracts with utility providers that may include requirements for smart meter installations. Refusing such installations could violate the contract's terms.
- Health and Safety Concerns: In some cases, individuals or businesses might object to smart meters due to perceived health hazards. However, scientific consensus generally states that smart meters pose no harm.
For a thorough exploration of the legalities surrounding refusing smart meters in veterinary settings, one would need to consider Austrian laws, specifics of the case, and industry-specific regulations. Keep an eye on this situation; it's bound to get more interesting!
After refusing to install a modern smart meter, veterinarian Elisabeth Heymann faces a power outage at her practice, causing a disruption in her daily operations. Heymann believes that the smart meter invades her privacy, sparking legal action planned with her lawyer against Netz Niederösterreich, citing regulations, data privacy, contractual obligations, and health concerns as potential issues.
