Editor:
We don't need a so-called smart meter to tell us how much energy we're using. Being mindful, we only use what we need and turn off what we don't. Those who don't care to be mindful and who can afford it will happily use more, smart meter or not. How about the cost of the program? It's a billion dollars that will be paid for by us, the Hydro customer.
The smart meter controversy is much more than perceived radio-frequency exposure, although a Harvard smart meter radio-frequency expert says we should be concerned. Most disturbing is how this special interest agenda was once again forced upon us by the purportedly transparent Liberals who have obviously learned nothing from their HST experience. There was zero discussion and zero input from the ones affected - the consumer.
HST wasn't on the radar until suddenly it was. Time of use billing isn't on the radar either, so they say. Are you kidding me? This isn't about grow ops as they'd like you to think. It's about mining the hydro user more completely.
I know of marginal families (as it is) who can't afford to adequately heat their houses. Will they even know when time signalling kicks in so they can make sure their kids have no heat during the higher rate periods? More stress will be added to their already stressful existence. Many don't have a natural gas option and will have to buy new smart appliances to take advantage of after-hour rates, but that's part of the plan.
How do we know what they'll do with any collected info that's beamed up or if indeed we're hack proof? If we've learned anything about big business or government, it's that they won't tell us the truth.
Smart meters have been given a name that automatically appeals to the ill-informed majority. Big Brother is covertly infiltrating our lives. I choose not to use a cell phone, as a land line works just fine for me. We already use less of everything and I choose not to have an unknown radio-frequency meter beaming information hourly off my house.
Paul and Carol Bucholtz, Sechelt?
