B.C. Hydro gets one more year to install smart meters

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      B.C. Hydro isn't going to make its December 31 deadline for installing 1.87 million of the controversial smart meters.

      So, the B.C. Liberal government has granted the public utility an extension under the Clean Energy Act—until December 31, 2013.

      According to a news release from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas, B.C. Hydro has installed 1.73 million of the digital meters, or 93 percent, across the province.

      "Shortages in qualified labour, equipment and specialized meters, plus customer concerns, prevented BC Hydro from fully installing all smart meters in 2012," the release, issued today (December 27), states.

      "The additional time will enable BC Hydro to complete the work and address as many customer concerns as possible before finalizing smart meter installations."

      Critics of the program have raised health, privacy, rights, and cost concerns about smart meters. B.C. Hydro is spending $930 million on the roll-out.

      Comments

      19 Comments

      Migzy

      Dec 28, 2012 at 6:07am

      They installed mine long ago, but just noticed that they only started using the power consumption data sometime in the last month(at least for me). Its cool how I can now see hourly usage and tie it to particular events like running the clothes dryer, oven, etc. Also makes it easier to see how much my power usage is tied to outside temp.

      Pat Crowe

      Dec 28, 2012 at 9:43am

      The argument was made in the beginning that these things would shut down the theft of electricity. However that would only be the case if the meters were installed on the Hydro poles in front of the homes on the street and not where the original meters were on the homes and shops. Well?! Guess what? Everyone can still boost electricity. They lied.

      dk

      Dec 28, 2012 at 2:33pm

      Don't unerstand why hey are going ahead with this when Ont. says it was the worst thing ever done in that province when it comes to hydro and in countries over seas they'rwe removing them and going back to the old meters. There is a lot of things more important that we need in this province than smart meters.

      Ali Said

      Dec 28, 2012 at 3:26pm

      Migzy, so you needed BC Hydro billion dollar investment to realize that turning the light on when reading a book in the evening uses power?
      LOL
      The only good news is that the cover is plastic not glass and plastic can melt easily...

      Michele Baillie

      Dec 28, 2012 at 8:43pm

      Particularly concerning here is the use of "smart meters" at all; there is extensive evidence that the use of these meters is inimical to people's health.

      When you consider the tremendous numbers of these meters being used and their microwave transmissions; you get a lethal electromagnetic field which we are forced to exist in. Start monitoring for health related problems that will be caused by this.

      Rob

      Dec 29, 2012 at 11:48am

      Critics of the program have raised health, privacy, rights, and cost concerns about smart meters. B.C. Hydro is spending $930 million on the roll-out.
      $930 million? Hay we could build a another bridge that works and pay for it up front so no tolls. Just a thought.

      smart meters not so smart for BC

      Dec 29, 2012 at 3:26pm

      Smart meters work well for nuclear, coal and gas sources of electrical energy. The only need for these meters in BC was the North American Energy Treaty which is intended to provide "energy security" for Mexico, US and Canada. By energy security they mean a "free" trade deal for exporting and importing electrical energy from one another.

      The daily wheelin and dealin of electricity used to be a benefit for BC ratepayers, however since the signing of excessive deals with private power producers in BC those benefits no longer keep our rates down but feed the pockets of these private interests.

      Argulion

      Dec 30, 2012 at 8:38am

      If I had 930 million dollars on the premise of an energy conservation program I would do something that would have a guaranteed result. The simple and practical solutions like converting 400 watt sodium and halide street lights to 50 watt LED systems.

      Lee L.

      Dec 30, 2012 at 8:40am

      @Migsy
      You said:

      Its cool how I can now see hourly usage and tie it to particular events like running the clothes dryer, oven, etc.

      Yea, it's cool how HYDRO can now see hourly ( or second by second, if it it chooses) useage and tie it to particular events like running the clothes dryer, oven, etc.

      Now why would Hydro want to do that?

      $$$$$$$$$$$

      Consider your loss of privacy. That isn't so cool.

      Lee L.

      Dec 30, 2012 at 8:45am

      PS.

      You are assuming that all HYDRO can see from your meter is power useage. In fact, it is possible to measure whether you are running lights, stoves, or motors in your house and charge differently for that.

      Commericially, Hydro already does that by charging extra if your facility's 'Power Factor' violates limits.

      Don't be fooled. There is but one reason for so called 'Smart Meters' and that is to charge more for time of day and power quality. What other investment in BC do you know, that is expected to pay back a BILLION dollars in cost yet save you money?