KELOWNA — Critics say they’re an invasion of privacy and that they emit dangerous radio signals but FortisBC says its customers are getting a smart meter whether they like it or not.
Fortis has begun installing the new meters in the Kelowna area. Hot on the heals of the installation crews is a local group which has launched a door-to-door campaign encouraging Kelowna homeowners to reject the controversial meters.
“We are notifying our customers 30 days in advance before their meter is exchanged. We just don’t want them to be surprised,” says FortisBC spokesman David Wylie.
It might surprise you to learn that you don’t have the option of keeping your old meter; however, you do have the choice of having the radio signal that transmits your power consumption, turned off. But it’ll cost you a one time fee.
“Eighty-eight dollars if the radio-off option is requested after the install is done, but if the radio-off option is requested before the install is done then it’s $60. There’s also a per-read fee of $18, that’s usually every other month,” says Wylie.
Why would anyone want the radio signal turned off to begin with?
“Some people are concerned about the wireless signals. Some people are concerned about privacy,” says Wylie.
But FortisBC assures its customers the signal is safe. It says that it meets Health Canada guidelines and as for privacy — Fortis says the information it’s getting from the new meters is no different than what it was getting from its old ones.
Smart meters have been getting some bad press lately especially in Saskatchewan where there have been a number of fires. Fortis says it uses a different manufacturer and there hasn’t been a single case of fire.
Fortis says a majority — 99 per cent of its customers — have no problem with the new meters. However, there have been reports in Kelowna of property owners denying Fortis access to their properties.
Kelowna residents might find a pamphlet hanging on their door from people who are opposed to smart meters. The pamphlet says to call Fortis to block the installation of the smart meter. Fortis says that if you absolutely refuse the installation of a smart metre on your home, it will cut your power off.
But of note, Fortis says it has done more than 13,000 installations so far and not one customer has had their power cut off.
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