Re: “Smart meters violate last refuge – the home,” Merritt Herald, Sept. 6, 2012
BC Hydro has a responsibility to deliver power to customers all around the province 24 hours a day, every of the year. BC Hydro ensured both wired and wireless alternatives could be considered during the open procurement process. No wired alternatives were proposed. Wired options used in other markets will either not work in British Columbia with our existing electricity system, infrastructure and topography – or would be prohibitively expensive.
The BC Utilities Commission has twice dismissed an application by a group seeking to place an injunction on the smart metering project because the group claimed the wireless technology used in the new, modern meters exceeded the authority of the Province’s Clean Energy Act.
Smart meters communicate back to BC Hydro using radio frequency signals that are similar to what has been used for decades in televisions, radios and other common household devices. B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, Health Canada and the World Health Organization all confirm the wireless meters pose no known health risks.
Planetworks Consulting, a certified engineering firm located in North Vancouver, has conducted independent testing on the meters that isolated the smart meter from other sources of radio frequency common to our everyday lives. The testing confirmed that a BC Hydro smart meter communicates for about 1.4 seconds per day and has a power density of 2 microwatts per square centimeter.
These signals are far below Canadian guidelines and are even below the strictest precautionary limits in the world, set out by Switzerland. Standing next to a smart meter for 20 years adds up to less radiofrequency than a 30 minute cell phone call.
We encourage customers who have questions about the smart metering program to contact BC Hydro directly so we can ensure they have the facts. We’re finding many customers have been misinformed and once they receive accurate information about the program they accept a new meter.
Our demands on the electricity system to support our economy and quality of life continue to grow. Smart meters are an important part of upgrading and modernizing the electricity grid. They will get the lights back on faster during power outages and provide customers with tools to conserve energy and save money and ensure the grid can support new technology like solar panels and electric vehicles.
This necessary upgrade to the electricity grid will deliver $1.6 billion in savings to British Columbians over the next 20 years helping to keep your rates among the lowest in North America.
Gary Murphy
Chief Project Officer, Smart Metering and Infrastructure
BC Hydro
