Letter to the editor:
I am one of the many people in Golden who have stood their ground and steadfastly refused to have a “smart” meter installed in my home.
The latest insult from B.C. Hydro was a letter re: Meter Choices Program which states:
“As you requested, B.C. Hydro delayed upgrading the meter at your home. In July 2013 the Provincial government announced the Meter Choices Program offering you a choice”
These choices include – a standard smart meter at no cost – a radio-off meter, for a one time set up fee and a monthly operating fee and third – keeping an old meter for a monthly fee.
The letter further states: Costs of each option:
– Smart meters are now standard B.C. Hydro equipment provided to customers at no cost.
However for a radio-off meter – a set up fee of $100 will be charged and a monthly fee of $20 will be added to your bill.
Also if you choose to keep the old meter you will be charged a monthly fee of $35.
Have these options been authorized by the British Columbia Utilities Commission? My understanding is they have not and somehow B.C. hydro is forging ahead with their intimidating tactics to try to force homeowners to make a choice of one of the above offers. The final straw in their letter states: “If you do not confirm your choice by December 1, 2013, B.C. Hydro will not exchange the meter at your home and the monthly fee for keeping an old meter will be added to your B.C. Hydro bill.”
I have chosen to fill out the Smart Meter No-fee Opt out Registration notice and have sent it to B.C. Hydro, Corix and Mr. Gary Murphy, Chief Project Office for the B.C. Hydro Smart Metering Program.
If you feel as strongly as I do about the negative aspects of the so-called “smart” meters, go to Citizens for Safe Technology.org and get informed and send your opinion to B.C. Hydro and the British Columbia Government.
Sincerely, Julia Cundliffe
Golden
