Re: BC Hydro smart meter fears aired at UBCM, Sept. 20, 2011.
I have been following very closely the on going debate about BC Hydro and its smart meter introduction program. It certainly has been hard for citizens to get straight forward and honest answers out of BC Hydro about what is really driving this whole program.
Throughout the debate BC Hydro continually denies that it has any timeline to bring in time-of-use pricing to force customers to pay more at peak times. Your article restated their claim.
The fact is BC Hydro does have a clear timeline to bring in time-of-use billing. They spelled it out clearly in their “Smart Metering and Infrastructure Program Business Plan,” which was submitted to the BC Utilities Commission in late December 2010.
Based on this business plan schedule work had already started on the time-of-use rate design in November 2010 and they plan to submit their rate application to the BCUC by Dec. 26, 2011.
All necessary work for the implementation is to be completed by March 31, 2012 and be ready for time based rates on July 1, 2012.
It is certainly no surprise why people don’t trust what BC Hydro is saying about why smart meters are being introduced. It is the HST all over again, say one thing and do the complete opposite.
Jim Lloyd
Colwood