Residents concerned about the safety of B.C. Hydro smart meters do have some options - but all involve having one of the meters installed.
B.C. Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer said the Crown company is mandated by provincial legislation to install a smart meter for each residential customer by the end of 2012. Approximately 40,000 meters are slated to be installed in Prince George.
"The options for the customer are to reconsider and have the meter installed on the side of their house or to have the it installed elsewhere on the property," Gammer said. "It would be at their expense, though. We supply the service line and the meter."
The smart meter can be installed on an outbuilding, garage or pole on the property, Gammer said.
B.C. Hydro has not widely publicized that having the meter installed elsewhere on a property is an option for power consumers. The option is not mentioned on the utility's web site about the about smart meters, nor was it mentioned when this reporter contacted B.C. Hydro's call centre to request a meter not be installed.
On Aug. 25 this reporter called B.C. Hydro's call centre and requested a meter not be installed.
The call centre operator said each customer in B.C. will get a smart meter, but transferred the call to the smart meter team.
On Aug. 29 a representative of the smart meter team called back. The B.C. Hydro spokesperson addressed the concerns raised by this reporter, then said a letter would be sent with further information.
"We'll not install a smart meter in your home until you get this letter," he said. "We are trying to come up with some mutually-agreeable options. [But] there is no opt-out option."
Gammer said the company hopes most customers will realize the smart meters are not dangerous.
"We have considered the health concerns. We have considered the privacy issues," Gammer said. "When we discuss with the customers... we want to help them understand the meter is not going to cause them any harm."
Customers who are still uncomfortable with the meter being installed will be sent a letter, "asking them to engage with us directly," Gammer said.
"We are dealing personally with each customer," he said.
For on B.C. Hydro's smart meter program, go online to www.bchydro.com.
