B.C. backs down on wireless smart meters- Customers will be able to pay extra for meters without wireless technology, says minister

 CBC News Posted: Jul 11, 2013 3:53 PM PT 

The B.C. government won't force people to get a wireless BC Hydro smart meter if they don't want one, but they are likely going to pay an extra fee for the opting out of the system. Energy Minister Bill Bennett says the details are still being ironed out, but it is clear someone will have to pay the extra cost and it won't be those who have agreed to have the wireless meters installed. "The 96 per cent of B.C. ratepayers who have taken the smart meters should not pay the additional expense of the four per cent who don't want one," said Bennett. The details are still being ironed out but the extra costs would likely have to cover having the wireless component removed and employing meter readers to the non-wireless devices. According to the government there are about 60,000 household that have yet to have smart meters installed.