The number of households in New Brunswick declining the installation of an N.B. Power smart meter has surged to an estimated 17,000, marking a tenfold increase compared to the rejection rate reported by the utility just a year ago. N.B. Power, however, clarified that the surge in refusals is not the primary factor driving its reconsideration of how to handle customers opting out of the smart meter program. The utility emphasized that the adjustments, including a threefold increase in costs for customers choosing to retain their old meters, are not intended as penalties but rather as part of the revised opt-out strategy.
N.B. Power is nearing the completion of the installation of around 388,000 new “communicating” smart meters across the province, aiming to modernize its electrical distribution grid over several years. These changes will enable the utility to gather individual customer consumption data electronically in real-time, a departure from the previous monthly readings by meter readers. Smart meters facilitate seamless communication with the power utility, enabling prompt identification and precise localization of outages. Customers can also monitor their daily electricity usage, empowering them to adjust their consumption patterns to avoid high monthly bills.
Moreover, the enhanced capabilities of the smart meters will eventually pave the way for innovative pricing and service offerings, such as varying electricity rates based on different time periods to align with fluctuating demand levels. Despite the potential benefits, smart meters have sparked controversy, with online critics citing concerns over purported health and safety risks, questions regarding meter accuracy, and objections to the constant collection of consumption data as an infringement on privacy rights.
Among the dissenting voices is Clarence Maillet from Moncton, who has opted out of having a smart meter installed at his residence due to reservations about the technology. Maillet expressed discontent with N.B. Power’s proposal to introduce a special fee, starting in the upcoming spring, for customers like him who opt to retain their existing meters. He criticized the notion of being charged for meter readings, emphasizing his disagreement with the additional costs imposed.
In its submission to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board for the forthcoming rate hearing, N.B. Power has suggested conducting manual readings for meters not upgraded six times a year for customers rejecting the new smart devices. To cover this expense, the utility is seeking to impose a monthly special meter-reading fee of $4.65 on those opting out beginning in April. N.B. Power clarified that the standard meter now entails a smart meter, necessitating manual readings for non-standard meter selections. The utility argues that recovering the costs of manual readings from opt-out customers is fair to all users.
The revised opt-out plan diverges from the initial proposal put forth during the 2020 hearings that approved smart meter installations. Initially, N.B. Power had indicated that meters of customers declining smart devices would be read manually twice a year to minimize costs. However, the utility now advocates for six annual meter readings, stating that this approach offers improved service by yielding more accurate consumption estimates and mitigating billing discrepancies. N.B. Power asserts that the decision to enhance meter-reading frequency and the associated costs does not stem from penalizing opt-out customers but rather aims to enhance service quality.
As N.B. Power grapples with a significant rise in resistance to smart meters beyond its expectations, the utility is navigating a shift in public sentiment towards the technology. Despite President Lori Clark’s previous assertion of a low opt-out rate during initial installations, the current refusal count stands at 17,000, with more installations yet to be completed. N.B. Power remains optimistic that opposition will diminish as customers acclimate to the technology and outreach efforts intensify to encourage hesitant individuals to reconsider their stance.
