An Oliver resident is calling for a moratorium on “smart meter” installation in BC until a review is completed on the safety of these devices.

John Nicholls is expressing his concern about smart meters after learning that several devices malfunctioned or caught fire in Saskatchewan. As a result, the government has ordered SaskPower to remove 105,000 smart meters from homes and businesses.

Nicholls wonders what will happen when the devices are installed here.

“To have them blow up and catch fire is dangerous.”

Nicholls said there should be a halt on smart meter installation until the problem is resolved or the devices can be proven safe.

FortisBC plans to install smart meters in the South Okanagan next spring. More than 1,500 devices will be installed in Oliver starting next May.

Neal Pobran, media relations officer for FortisBC, said the company has developed specific procedures during advanced meter installations to help avoid any equipment-related problems.

Pobran said every customer-owned meter base will be inspected prior to installation of an advanced meter.

He noted that a report co-authored by the Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia compared the occurrence of fires in 2011 (before advanced meter installations by BC Hydro) to June 2012 (after installations by BC Hydro).

“The report noted there was a decline in the frequency of residential structure fires associated with electricity.”

Pobran said the report also noted a decrease in residential structure fires related to marijuana grow operations.

“One of the many benefits (of advanced meters) is that it reduces electricity theft often associated with improper wiring which could result in fires.”

Pobran said it’s important to note that FortisBC already exchanges thousands of meters each year to ensure accuracy and has never experienced a fire from these exchanges.

But the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters in BC said Energy Minister Bill Bennett and BC Hydro refuse to acknowledge the hazard.

Coalition director Sharon Noble said property and lives have been put at risk, adding that residents deserve the same precautionary action as Saskatchewan.

BC Hyrdo maintains that its meters are different than the ones in Saskatchewan, and there is no evidence that its meters have ever been the cause of a fire in BC.

 

Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle