BC Hydro has provided the City of Quesnel with an update on the installation of the smart meters in our community.
The letter sent to council stated smart meter installation started in July 2011 and since then, BC Hydro has installed 1.7 million meters across the province.
BC Hydro is now in the process of completing the upgrade but stress that the grid update cannot be completed until all customers have new meters.
According to their letter, BC Hydro is making the transition to smart meters to “ensure safe, cost effective electricity delivery to homes and businesses all around the province.”
Another perk BC Hydro has cited in their letter is the automation of their services.
“The old meters are becoming obsolete and require BC Hydro to manually perform services that have now been automated,” the letter stated.
“In order to continue to serve customers without a new meter, we would have to set up a costly and separate customized system - and the cost of this would have to be subsidized by other BC Hydro customers who have a new meter.”
BC Hydro has received many questions regarding the installation of the smart meters and has posted them on their website.
“For example, we have confirmed through testing by a federal consumer protection agency that the new meters are accurate,” the letter said.
BC Hydro said they have also confirmed through testing that the technology used in the smart meters is confirmed to be safe for decades by households and communities around the world.
BC Hydro stated they have worked hard to accommodate the wishes of those who are uncomfortable with the installation of their smart meter.
“Customers can choose to relocate the meter base to a different location on their property, in accordance with local electrical guidelines, and at their own cost,” the letter read.
“For customers who would like to move the meter, contacting a qualified electrician is the first step.”
However, BC Hydro’s letter explained their conditions of service entitle them to access to the meters.
“When customers request service from BC Hydro, they agree to the terms and conditions in BC Hydro’s electric tariff, including the obligation to provide access to their property so that we can read, maintain or exchange the BC Hydro meter,” it said.
In January 2013, BC Hydro contacted those in the province who had not yet made the switch to the smart meter.
“We continue to work with these customers and in the meantime, will not install a new meter without their agreement,” their website said.
As part of the province’s electric system, BC Hydro said the smart meters are a necessary part of the upgrade.
“They are standard equipment just like utility poles and power lines and are required to modernize the system and ensure the safe, efficient delivery of electricity to British Columbians,” the letter stated.
BC Hydro listed ways they feel the smart meter system will help the automated electricity system including:
• Automatically detect power outages;
• Provide customers with access to their hourly electricity-use data through a secure online account;
• Ensure bills are based on actual consumption;
• Improve safety by having installers inspect each meter socket that connects homes and businesses to the electricity grid and provide free repairs by a qualified electrician on-the-spot if an issue is found.
For information about smart meters, email smart meters@bchydro.com or call 1-800-409-8199.