West Vancouver resident resists smart meters by locking up analogue meter
Although most of his neighbours on Keith Road have one installed, a feisty opponent of B.C. Hydro’s smart meters has taken extra measures to keep them away from his home.
“B.C. Hydro will not be changing my meter anytime soon, unless they bring some serious tools,” West Vancouver resident Peter Ferlow told the Straight. “I locked up my analogue meter good.”
Ferlow sent the Straight a picture showing how he has encased his analogue meter in metal and locked the casing with thick chains and U-locks.
“The whole street has been done now,” Ferlow said. “Basically, I’ve walked down the whole street and I’ve talked to the people, or most of the people that were home, and left them some literature about the smart meters.”
One older resident four houses down already had a piece of wood covering his analogue meter, Ferlow added.
“I said to him, ‘What do you know about smart meters?’ ” Ferlow said, referring to his neighbour. “He said, ‘I don’t want one.’ Okay then. That was pretty funny. And then there’s another lady about halfway down the street. I was talking to her because I sell solar collectors as a little hobby thing on the side, and she was looking at that. She also put the notices up, and she hasn’t got one yet.”
By year’s end, the provincial utility plans to install 1.9 million meters, and has already put in over 1.1 million of the wireless devices, according to a May 4 B.C. Hydro news release.
Ferlow said he is convinced that 98 percent of the people he’s spoken to still have no idea what the program, budgeted at $930 million, is all about.
“It was almost like they [B.C. Hydro] were just hoping to slam these things in before anybody knows any better,” he said.
Ferlow was at Vancouver City Hall last week to voice his support for Green councillor Adriane Carr’s successful motion asking B.C. Hydro to allow Vancouverites to opt out of the program.
Comments
26 Comments
huh?
May 8, 2012 at 7:21pm
would you mind actually reporting on the WHY.?
Richard G
May 8, 2012 at 7:35pm
Would be nice if the article actually provided an explanation for this indiviuals opposition to the smart meter -- that of course is the point of the whole story ... isn't it?
Bob Bichen
May 8, 2012 at 7:49pm
Slamming them in before anyone notices that an IARC Class 2B carinogen emitting, theft of telecommunications right-of-way, privacy destroying, overbilling "smart" meter is being installed is EXACTLY what they're trying to do. Lock up your analog meters before it's too late!
Norm M
May 8, 2012 at 8:48pm
Don't want their meter, suspect you don't want their power either. Be sure to put on your anti-radiation aluminum foil hat and go off the grid completely..
Stupid Meter
May 8, 2012 at 8:53pm
This is why he is chaining his meter down:
http://www.infowars.com/no-more-privacy-smart-meters-are-surveillance-de...
adam g
May 8, 2012 at 9:07pm
how long before locking up your old meter is considered a criminal offense? not too long in this quickly-becoming-a-police-state, i imagine.
steve tyler
May 8, 2012 at 9:07pm
the health argument is ridiculous.
the argument that isn't ridiculous is:
1. analog meters last 20-30 years
2. smart meters in the US already need replaced due to hacking - I would guess a lifespan 3-5 years before they all need upgraded.
http://krebsonsecurity.com/2012/04/fbi-smart-meter-hacks-likely-to-spread/
Morty
May 8, 2012 at 11:52pm
adam g: I'm pretty sure meters are the property of BC Hydro, not the property owner—meaning it's already a criminal offence in this nowhere-near-a-police-state
Aha...
May 9, 2012 at 1:16am
West Van: The World Capital of First World Problems
Anton
May 9, 2012 at 3:56am
Hmm a link to infowars... must be true!