B.C. Hydro makes controversial case for smart meters at UBCM

by Anonymous on 29 Sep 2011

As B.C. Hydro installs its 100,000th smart meter Tuesday, a groundswell of local government leaders and residents are telling the energy giant — not so fast.

Concerns over the nearly $1-billion project were voiced Tuesday at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver where B.C. Hydro held a smart metering program information session.

There, a panel, including B.C. Hydro’s chief project officer Gary Murphy, addressed numerous issues — including a lack of public consultation, the $930 million price tag, and potential for time-of-use billing.

UBCM members will vote on a proposed moratorium for the continued introduction of the wireless meters later this week. B.C. Hydro, however, insists there is no opting out.

“Every customer in the province is going to get a smart meter,” said Murphy, who conceded there were no public consultations leading to the decision to implement 1.8 million meters provincewide.

“I think we need to do a better job of communicating more,” he added.