Dear editor,
Recently I was visited at home by a Corix contractor/employee at home because I have so far refused to have a smart meter installed at our residence.
This BC Hydro representative asked if I had any questions about smart meters and also to inform me regarding smart meters. To me it sounded more like a sales job to convince me to get one installed.
He told me things such as: Europe has had them for over 10 years, California installed three different ones and the one BC Hydro chose was the best of the bunch and this Itron model had no problems in California.
Of course, he did not inform me of negative stuff until I brought that up. He agreed with me that there have been wiring problems and fires here in B.C. but that all of them have been repaired at no cost to the home owner.
What about the electrical overcharges? Yes, those meters have been replaced and some of those higher charges are seasonal fluctuations.
Will we get higher evening rates such as exist in Ontario? No, because Ontario has to purchase extra electricity during peak times at higher rates.
What about the B.C. government and BC Hydro agreeing to pass legislation that bypassed public scrutiny (e.g. BC Utilities Commission)? Well, that’s politics.
He told me that I could not opt out of the installation initiative. I explained that recently B.C. politicians made it sound like we wouldn’t be forced to have one installed.
He told me that an election is coming. I told him that I would not accept a smart meter to be installed in my home until the BC Utilities Commission gives a positive review of the process and the safety of the meters.
Ed Zirkwitz,
Royston