The core of the complaint is that the smart meters are an "unauthorized extension" by BC Hydro, first in the use of wireless technology and secondly issues of privacy.
Basically the first part of the complaint is that the Clean Energy Act did not authorize BC Hydro to use wireless smart meters. The BCUC has said BC Hydro is completely within their rights of the Clean Energy Act to use wireless smart meters.
Commission Finding
In the absence of a specific stated requirement that the meters used to fulfill section 17 of the CEA be wireless or wired, the Commission concludes the legislature entrusted BC Hydro, as the technical expert, to determine the equipment needed to meet the requirements under the CEA and the Regulation.
The Commission finds there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the Complainants’ argument that the legislature intended BC Hydro to use a specific type of equipment, wired or wireless, to fulfill its obligations under section 17 of the CEA and to meet the prescribed requirements under section 2 of the RegulationThe second part of the complaint is about the "domestic interface capability" of the smart meter - this is part of the smart meter that will allow you in future to monitor your power use. It is only switched on if you want to be able to do that. The complaint states that BC Hydro was not given the right in the Clean Energy Act to have this capability though how they square that with (g) in section 37 of the act, I have no idea. It seems the BCUC did not either.
Commission FindingI find the sort of opposition that went into this complaint very depressing. We are working towards trying to make the world a better place and there are seem to always be people opposing every positive change. More efficient energy use means we use less energy and this will mean we need fewer power plants. The single biggest problem world wide with CO2 emissions is electrical power produced from coal fired power plants. Close to half the power in North America still comes from coal fired power.
The Commission finds the domestic interface capability or “Chip” meets the requirement under subsection 2(g) of the Regulation for BC Hydro to install a smart metering system with the ability to transfer information to and receive information from an in-home feedback device.
Even if these people against smart meters do not care about the environment, you would think they would at least be happy with saving money through with the change to smart meters and the smart grid. You can look at this research into cost benefit analysis of smart meters in 33 different jurisdictions. In 30 jurisdictions smart meters had a positive cost benefit and in three it was even. In none of them did it leave the public and utility worse off than before.
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Press Release from Coalition to Stop Smart Meters & CST.
March 9, 2012.
While it is disappointing that the BC Utilities Commission, once our public protectorate, does not feel this is a serious issue, it must be noted that thousands of British Columbians disagree. In fact, the Union of BC Municipalities has now been joined by 34 individual municipalities voting to uphold democracy calling for a moratorium and/or opt out choice for those who oppose the current process of smart meter deployment. There are multiple transgressions to democratic process, civil and human rights with the smart meter program, and the public has the right to know given the risks to everyone and our environment. We are not going away. In fact, as more British Columbians hear about smart meters, and separate truth from industry propaganda, this movement w...ill keep growing as more of the truth becomes evident.
BCUC, with their non-action, has firmly stated that they do not care about the interests of British Columbians. Whether it be the assault upon democracy, civil and human rights, people`s concerns of health, privacy and safety, risks to the security of our whole electrical grid from hacking or cost increases which are tantamount to an unapproved rate increase, there are multiple reasons for supporting a full public hearing. Citizens are alarmed with the actions of what appears to be a rogue provincial government. It is truly up to the people to stand up at this time and reclaim democratic process in British Columbia. We are seeing a massive movement happening around the world challenging smart metering technology, and it is just beginning here.
Our political leaders are no longer listening to the will of the people and that will be reflected in the precariousness of their position in the next election. They may enjoy temporary benefits of trampling on democracy and increasing their grip on power, but they must realize that this is short-lived given that people are standing up for their inalienable rights under the Canadian and BC Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Coalition and CST will take the next legal step of filing a request for Appeal to the BCUC decision, in our ongoing efforts to return democratic process to the Smart Meter Program.
Contacts:
Sharon Noble - dsnoble@shaw.ca.
Andrea Collins - acollins2@shaw.ca.
Una St.Clair - una@citizensforsafetechnology.org
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