The number of households in New Brunswick rejecting the installation of N.B. Power smart meters has surged to an estimated 17,000, a significant increase compared to the rejection rate reported just last year. N.B. Power is undergoing changes in how it handles customers opting out of the smart meter program, which includes proposing a threefold increase in costs for these customers retaining their old meters.
N.B. Power clarified that the adjustments, including pricing modifications, are not meant to penalize customers but rather to improve service. The utility is nearing completion of installing approximately 388,000 new “communicating” smart meters across the province to enhance the electrical distribution grid.
These smart meters will enable real-time electronic collection of individual customer consumption data, offering benefits such as immediate outage identification, precise outage location, and empowering customers to monitor their daily electricity usage for potential cost-saving adjustments. Furthermore, the meters will pave the way for innovative pricing and service options based on varying electricity rates during different times of the day to align with demand fluctuations.
However, despite the advantages, smart meters have sparked controversy. Some online critics have raised concerns about potential health and safety risks associated with the meters, questioned their accuracy, and objected to the perceived invasion of privacy due to continuous data collection on electrical consumption.
One resident, Clarence Maillet from Moncton, is among the many who have declined the installation of a smart meter at their residence. Maillet expressed discontent with N.B. Power’s proposal to impose a special charge, starting in the spring, for maintaining his existing meter.
In its submission to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board for the upcoming rate hearing, N.B. Power is suggesting six manual meter readings per year for customers who opt out of the new meter, with a corresponding monthly levy of $4.65 starting in April. This fee aims to cover the costs associated with manual meter readings for those who opt out of the standard smart meter service.
N.B. Power’s revised opt-out plan diverges from its initial proposal during the smart meter installation approval process in 2020. The utility initially planned for biannual manual readings for customers rejecting smart meters to minimize costs. However, the utility now believes that six readings per year would enhance service by providing more accurate consumption estimates and smoother billing adjustments, despite the higher associated expenses.
N.B. Power emphasized that the changes in the opt-out plan are unrelated to financial penalties but are driven by the goal to enhance customer service. The utility is facing unexpected resistance to smart meters, with a much higher rejection rate than anticipated, prompting efforts to educate and persuade customers to embrace the new technology over time.
