To the editor:
Re: “BC Hydro’s $35 opt-out fee extortion by energy monopoly,” Nov. 22.
I had to roll my eyes when I read Geoff Olson’s repetition of tendentious and misleading observations on the subject of smart meters. It just seems as if common sense is lacking and emotions run wild. Let’s look at the objections logically.
- “Smart meters have not reduced electricity consumption in other jurisdictions.” But why should they be expected to? Would we expect a similar water meter to save water consumption? What smart meters will save are multi-millions of dollars in meter reading costs. I don’t know BC Hydro’s pay rates for meter readers. Let’s assume a union wage of $35 -40, plus pension, CPP, EI, WorkSafe premiums, vacation, statutory holidays, special leave, a 35-hour work week, time allowance for non-meter reading responsibilities. With this pay rate and overhead, I would be very surprised if the loaded cost rate worked was much less than $60 per hour.
- “Time-of-day billing.” All the objectors I’ve heard from fear that smart meters are a sneaky way of increasing revenue by charging more for peak hour electricity usage. But BC Hydro doesn’t need to go to the expense when in the past they’ve always raised rates without such subterfuge. The main purpose of time-of-day billing is to shift demand from peak to off-peak periods by making off peak use cheaper than peak use. Surely we’re all aware that we see the equivalent of time-of-day billing all the time. Just look at cheap off-season holidays, red-eye flight fares, cheaper hotel rooms at weekends, and, in some provinces, the institution of “happy hour.” Do we complain about these?
- “Privacy concerns.” Do people really believe that “consumer-level smart products will tell the grid where and when you shower, fire up your computer, turn on your coffee pot, etc.”? Are manufacturers in Asia going to be commissioned to do that by BC Hydro? I think they have enough on their plate without setting up a whole new business marketing intelligence of doubtful value. I’d like someone to explain how this could be commercially viable
- “Radio frequency field exposure.” All I can say to people who fear this is that they should give up mobile phones and television which generate far stronger radio fields. And for the record neither I, members of my family nor friends work directly or indirectly for BC Hydro.
James Pammenter,
Vancouver
