Hydro Gives Its Side On Smart Meters

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 23 April 2012 18:50
Vernon council now has both sides of the smart meter debate.  A few weeks after hearing from opponents of the wireless devices, council heard from BC Hydro's officer in charge of the program. Chief project officer Gary Murphy says cell phones, microwaves and baby monitors emit higher radiation levels than the meters. "They sure do, and they're safe. We not trying to say we're safe and they're not. We believe that they're safe as well, and I encourage people to go to legitimate scientific literature, and look at the 30 years of study that's been going on. Ninety-nine percent of our customers are fine with our program, and the benefits certainly outweigh whatever risks people perceive are out there." Interior Health environmental health officer Greg Baytalan also told council the meters are not a health concern according to Health Canada standards, and the BC Centre for Disease Control. "Smart meters beep out intermittent signals and if you add them up for a whole day, it comes out that it's one minute it's transmitting (radioactive) signals." Murphy says Hydro is considering a way for the one percent who oppose the devices, to opt-out. He also says people with concerns can pay to have them located away from their house.  Council will debate a call for a moratorium on installing the meters, at its May 14th meeting. Two councillors, Bob Spiers and Brian Quiring, said at Monday's meeting, they felt there were no health risks with the meters, with Quiring adding "I'm very supportive of it (program)."  Councillor Patrick Nicol questioned Murphy about concerns the costs for Hydro customers will rise dramatically. Murphy replied the 930 million dollar meter program will have 520 million in positive returns for customers. "One of the few programs that will pay back," he said. When Nicol asked if that will mean lower rates, Murphy said, No, rates will still go up but by less than they would without the meters which will produce cost savings of 1.6 billion dollars over 20 years. Hydro says the devices will also reduce meter reading errors, and electricity thefts by marijuana grow ops. Murphy says Hydro expects electricity demand to increase 40 percent over the next 20 years in BC.
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Don Quixote Note: I did say that I was not personally concerned about the Health Risk that would come from this additional Smart Meter. It will just add to the cumulative effect of all the Wi-Fi and other waves that we have in our modern society. (What the long term effects of all this technology will have on our health will be be answered for future generations.)

 I did want the Council to vote on a motion to ask Hydro to consider an opt out policy but this motion was deferred to the May 14 meeting. (It seems from the BC Hydro reply to Peter McIntyre's questions that they are considering the opt out formula. )