BC Hydro is misleading us again. They say that the vast majority of their customers are now glad to have smart meters. They say that only about three per cent are “holding out.”
More than 200,000 B.C. residents have told BC Hydro that they do not want ‘smart’ meters. This does not take into account the 54 municipalities calling for a moratorium on their installation. They represent another million British Columbians.
BC Hydro’s estimate of three per cent applies only to those persons who have actively and repeatedly stated, in letters, with signage and/or “securement” of their analogue meters, that they do not give permission to have a wireless smart meter installed on their homes. This is a time-consuming endeavour and one not likely to be pursued by any but the most determined and persistent in the population.
Hydro’s 3 per cent does not include:
– all of the meters installed on homes and businesses without the consent of owners;
– all those whose signs and letters have been torn down or ignored by Corix installers, who have installed smart meters anyway;
– all those who now, after the deed is done, have phoned or sent letters and messages asking for reinstatement of a wired meter, only to be told that there aren’t any analogues “left;”
– all those who request the removal of a newly installed smart meter, only to be told that they have no choice in the matter; and
– all those who, due to the lack of media attention or connectedness via Internet, have no idea that a choice exists. They simply accept what BC Hydro tells them: that they are doing what must be done.
Hydro doesn’t tell us that wireless meters are not mandated in the Clean Energy Act. Wireless smart meters are radio frequency emitters, and it is not technically legal for Hydro to insist that anyone have a radio frequency emitter mounted on their home.
Hydro’s public misinformation is part of their $13 million PR and advertising campaign. Don’t believe it.
Linda Ewart
