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- Here is a document that allows you to compare the Smart Meter Opt Outs FEES in the various areas in Canada and USA. This document will be updated frequently when we get more information from readers like you. Smart Meter Opt-out Chart – – Feb 14,2023 : opt-out-fees
2. USA – Authorities Cited In United States Smart Meter Opt-Out Survey – August 01, 2018: https://www.ehs.group/
3. USA – Smart Meter Opt-Out Policies by Daniel Shea and Kate Bell – NCSL National Conference of State Legislatures – August 20, 2019: http://www.ncsl.org/research/energy/smart-meter-opt-out-policies.aspx (scroll down to “Interactive Map: Smart Meter Opt-Out Policies” & click on each state for info: – Unique statewide policies – Statewide opt-out policy in place – PUC case-by-case opt-out programs – No opt-out policies in place)
4. British Columbia Utilities – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/residential-electricity
5. Canada – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_electric_utilities
How fast can you send me the most up to date letter I can send Fortis to stop a meter installation on my house?….or the link to it?
I can’t find it on your website. It should be jumping out at me but I can’t find it.
Thank you,
Donald
This link goes to a Chinese site about beauty products and services and has nothing to do with Smart Meters. Please check that this link has not been hacked.
We were abruptly cut off by FortisBC electricity on 12 May 2015, and had to convert to 12V solar power. And now, seven years later, we are fighting a similar battle against smartmeters for natural gas.
Yes, and then it will be water smeters. I do hope you will write BCUC with your concerns and frustrations. Remember, if you’re silent they think you either agree or don’t care.
Sharon
Hello, I live in NH and when Eversource took over PSNH, they installed smart readers! We bought all new appliances BEFORE Eversource kicked in and our elec bills were down significantly. Now for some very strange reason, as soon as Eversource took over, they installed smart Readers Without my consent or signature… Now our monthly elec bill for 2 people who only use minimal electricity in a home has gone up 30+% !!! Can I demand that Eversource change my meter back to analog, seeing I live in NH? Thank you in advance!
Hi John K in New Hampshire USA
I took a look at the fee/tariff schedule for Eversource and it is complicated.
There are tariffs for flat fees and for time of day (Time of use = TOU). If you are on TOU and use lots of electricity during the expensive times then your bill will increase significantly.
You must review your bills before Eversource and after Eversource took over to see if your consumption has changed or the rates have changed.
Ted in BC
I hope that you kept your bills for this comparison.
Did you have success removing smart meter
See the NH RSA (state law) regarding smart meter opt-in/opt-out at http://gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/374/374-62.htm
It appears to me that they cannot install a smart meter without your consent and they must remove it upon written request, and that “one’s service will not be affected if one elects not to opt-in”.
I just called Amy from Eversource NH today and read her this state law after she tried to tell me Eversource’s smart meters were not “smart meter gateway devices” by the law’s very definition in 374-62, that is exactly what they happen to be. She told me that they own the poles and lines and will not replace the meters to analog…flat out. They do not offer opt-out even though the law is very clear in that providers must do so when requested by consumers.
Every electronic device sends out its own unique frequency. It can be measured and read by an AI employing a set of algorithms. The entire electrical device layout of one’s home (connected to these devices) is on display to paying 3rd parties. It is not a secret that energy companies are providing this information back to entities like google for a profit. People have a right to be secure in their homes and personnel effects, so says your 4th amendment.
At the end of the day when we pay these service providers for electricity it needs to remain a 1 for 1 exchange. They are being paid by the individual consumer to provide electricity to homes as a service. We already have laws in place like 374-60 that act in a way to prevent this kind of surveillance and data collection for those that are not interested in putting out that kind of personal information…they are just not enforced to protect consumers. We have a right to opt-out which is not being respected at the moment. I believe a lawsuit is just around the corner if this continues for much longer.
It would seem to me the next step should be a complaint to the Utilities Commission since Eversource is not following the regulations established for opting out.
I agree fully with you about the privacy issue. ITRON, for one, has admitted that from the beginning its goal was to allow the smeters to be used for commercial purposes by other companies. This makes my home a commencial centers without my agreement or compensation. I doubt that any of the statutes regarding a utility company’s meters allows for use to go beyond measuring and reporting usage.
Sharon Noble
I too am in NH. The word “gateway” in the law is what the issue is. There is opting out from the 2 way (gateway) transmission that allows your house to use “smart” capabilities. My understanding is that the meter is the same but that there is a gateway enabling component that would be added. It’s still a “smart” meter without this “gateway” capability. As such it emits wireless signals (and high EMFs) on a regular basis. In my home’s case it appears to be ever 28 seconds. This disrupts other bluetooth devices so I know that electrosmog is in my home. I have an EMF reader and detected the peaks when the pulses occur. Yes. class action lawsuits will probably be coming due to nerve damage from the high frequency transmitted. (My understanding is that our circuit breaker boxes act as a giant antenna inside our home to get these signals out.) I also believe that we are paying through our usage for the company’s pulsing and transmission.
Hello, I also live in NH and would like to have my smart meter replaced for analog. Does anyone in NH know if there has been a complaint made to the NH Public Utilities Commission? Thank you.
Dear NH – So, how’s it going with Eversource? I’m in Connecticut, and wondering if one can opt out in CT. Would anyone know?
Have you changed out tp analog meter? im in ct
I’m sorry but I’m not sure what you are asking. If you are asking if I have had my smeter removed and replaced with an analog the answer is no. BC Hydro will not allow anyone to do this even if the exchange is to a brand new, certified analog and done by a fully qualified electrician. We do not have that option in British Columbia — there is a law that prevents it.
My understanding (I too live in BC) is that ‘we’ won that battle and therefore it is illegal for BCH to refuse to remove their smeter? Am I wrong or perhaps it’s only for those who still have an analog one and are standing firm to refuse the smeter? I wish I knew where to find the info about this but I recall reading, during the first years this battle was underway, that citizens won that right, regardless of the relentless pressure put onto us by BCH?
How do I go about getting Nebraska added to the list of states to opt-out. I’m so disgusted for no body asked me if they could change my meter. I borrowed a meter for a week. These power companies should be charged with attempted murder. What can I do?
I live in AZ and smart meters where installed in an unincorporated territory mobile home estate community, smart water meter also installed, I am confused down the street there are water wells they are now doing some underground work with water pipelines, there is an incorporated city claiming the rights to charge residents and began only in 1999 the community I live in is retirement community small town and believe they are taking advantage of the citizens by having them sign over water rights by signing an agreement with this city. I am having issues with an agreement made by my elderly landlord who has signed agreement with them and I usually pay bill but do to an outrageous bill I received I refused to pay they shut off water and took water meter. I began investigating this is private property and there are many who are disputing this, but I also noticed that if you accept to have the meter from the water company than they can stop the god given water rights we have based on an old water system that was placed by citizens years ago before 1999. Can I buy my own water meter rather than call company and sign away rights to this city water company? Any thoughts on this issue on how I can take action the stop the water theft?
We were told they aren’t wireless transmitters and they will be physically read by a worker every 2 weeks.
We have NEVER had someone come do a reading yet the bill comes every month!
Near Ottawa, I’m really hoping to find someone in the Perth / Ottawa area who has successfully switched Smart to Analog!
Thanks!
Hi there, I’m near Kingston. Have you had any success switching from Smart to Analog? I’m looking to do the same. Dealing with Hydro One Networks Inc.
I had called my city asked if we had a smart meter, I was lied to. On an EMF meter it’s out put is off the chart. Like sitting in front of an on microwave, but worst is the modem and set up to the TV of a provider it is constantly pinging off the charge when the electric is on. So, what paperwork do I need to do and WHO do I need to take it to to get this meter removed from my home?
You could try constructing some shielding, such as a Faraday cage for the meter, to shunt the RF output of the meter to ground. It’s basically an enclosure made out of wire mesh that blocks RF radiation coming in or out, you only need be concerned about the front as most meters are mounted in sockets in a metal box in North America. Some on these sorts of sites disagree with me on this claiming that it will radiate through the household wiring instead, but I am skeptical about that. I don’t know where you are, or whether there is an opt out with the power company or not, if there is then the utilities commission would have mandated it.
You can also buy faraday cages for meters and routers on Amazon. I bought both and was able to detect the difference in EMFs with my handheld meter. I also could detect the 20-30 second peaking of the EMFs whenever the meter pings (which is continuously).
I would love to get my smart meter removed from the home I just purchased. I live in Dorr Michigan and want it changed to analog. How can I go about doing this?
Search for your electricity provider and then search for smart meter opt out info. If you can’t find it, contact your provider.
For NH, I contacted Eversource this week and all they would allow was for me to move the meter to a pedestal in the yard. They told me that I could “go somewhere else for my electricity” if I didn’t want to comply.” I know that some individuals have gotten analog meters installed by their electrician but I have not found any info on my rights to force this.
Is there an opt-out letter for Ameren Illinois customers? I’m in the process of building a home and they installed a smart meter without the option of me opting out of this. I want this removed from my home. Any help in this would be greatly appreciated.
– https://www.ameren.com/illinois/company/reliability/grid-of-the-future/smart-meters
What if I do not want a smart meter installed?
If you decide that you do not want a smart meter, you have the option to enroll in our Non Standard Metering (NSM) service. Unlike our Standard Metering service, which uses the smart meter to transmit your energy usage wirelessly to Ameren Illinois, the Non Standard Metering service will require a manual meter read. There are monthly fees to participate in the Non Standard Metering program and no additional charge for the smart meter. The NSM fees help cover the cost of monthly manual meter reads. If you decide NSM is the right choice and want to enroll, please call our Customer Service at 800.755.5000 to learn more about the fees.
Linda,
The website does not provide important information: the fees for opting out, both initial and ongoing: is it possible to keep the analog? Do you have this information?
If so, could you please email to me at dsnoble@shaw.ca with “opt out fees” on the subject line.
Thank you.
Sharon
ASHLAND OREGON does have a free opt out.
2012 City of Ashland Resolution gave us a FREE opt out from the radiofrequency automated program for an Analog meter.
However, there was a bait and switch to a NON-RF digital meter since then which is being addressed currently since that was not the resolution agreement. Ashland Electric claims on their website analogs are not available or purchasable–a lie that many utilities purport.
EUGENE OREGON used to have opt in. They now have OPT OUT.
OREGON Pacific Power is installing 530,000 smart meters in Oregon currently as of Jan 1 2018. Opt out Install charge is $137 initial, $36 mo. for a digital meter both of which are being contested currently by the Freedom 2 Say No to Smart Meters group in So. Oregon. Get to keep your analog meter if you have one and write to PP and get letter acknowledgment. City of Talent, OR did a Temporary Moratorium on Smart Meters until the exorbitant fees are addressed and Jackson County Commissioners wrote a scathing letter. The Aclara I-210+C smart meter being installed has a 54 page report on it by an independent meter analyzer who has testified at the expet level at 3 PUCs. The report is currently being reanalyzed by a few other independent engineers. However, the Aclara installers are aggressive and don’t have an opt out list, so folks have to post signs on their meters DO NOT INSTALL
This is a Non Consent and Refusal Notice of a Smart meter, encoder, update, advanced meter, digital meter. Analog meter installers welcome. OPT OUT Order #, Date, Name, Utility. Some are videoing their conversations with the installers. Are they licensed electricians? Do they know there is a faulty surge protector and the heat sensor doesn’t work? We are a high fire risk area.
Mt. Shasta area install by Pacific Power starts July 30, 2018.
Opt out charge is inital $ 75. $20 mo Get to keep your analog meter if you write in to Pacific Power and get a letter back.
SALT SPRING ISLAND has Smart Meters against great opposition 6 years ago when 50 trucks rolled in from BC Hydro one day and blanketed the island. Lots of trees on the island and bills are being estimated. Folks could try to negotiate photographing the meter monthly and save on the mo. fees and just have the utility come out yearly to do checks.
Washington State requires opt out meters as of April 10, 2010 of all investor owned utilities. Not sure about cooperatives.
ORCAS ISLAND, WA is a cooperative. Does not currently have opt-out but just been sent new policy decision making docs from WA PUC that allow for opt outs. They know smart meters are not mandated by the federal government, only to be offered.
SASKATCHEWAN took out 105,000 smart meters due to Sensus fires). a couple of years ago. Sensus has been bought by another company and installing new 7,500 smart meters in 2018.
PORT TOWNSEND, WA currently does not have smart meters and has a very active group opposed to them at this time. Will be under review later this year.
Our rural electric put these things up a few years ago. I have found that since then my bill has double/tripled. This is in Minnesota. I did not see our state on your list. Do you have an updated one? I want that thing gone! our house is only 624 sq ft, wood heat. I work all day, only hubby home and only thing on is TV. gas stove. Estimator from MP&L shows I should be using no more than 700 kw but bill are always 1200 plus
Hi, Pam, I do apologize for missing your question. I have no info about Minnesota and whether there is an option for people who do not want the smart meter. I will ask some people in the US and will let you know if I find anything out. You might do an internet search and find a group near you. I just did one and found quite a bit of info, for example https://energynews.us/2017/07/12/midwest/navigating-smart-meter-privacy-a-challenge-for-smart-grid-innovators/ It sounds as if there is an opt out option but this might vary with your utility company.
I have a smart meter installed at my home. I do not believe that I “opted in” to the installation of this meter at any time. BC Hydro states that I cannot have it replaced with a radio off meter. Is anyone aware of options to have this meter replaced with a radio-off meter?
hi i am in the fraser vally bc. i am being harassed by hydro to put a smart meter because it is 2018 they say there are no more legacy meters. can i fight the install of the smart meter.
Navopache Electric Cooperative -Lakeside Az. servicing the White Mountains in Arizona has no Opt Out for Smart meters. NEC is mandating a change from my analog meter and if a don’t let them, they will terminate my service. I am 100% Disabled and on Social Security I cannot afford to go Solar at $15.000.00 dollars. I called AZ Corporate Commission and was told that a non OPT OUT was passed because NEC requested this. As members of the Cooperative in 2013 and 2014 we were told that they were working on a opt out. CEO Chuck Moore then blind sided us with his NEC lawyers. Now no opt out and its approved by the Commission. Federal Law states not to be mandated only to be offered. What about citizen with Disabilities? Discrimination? I will have to leave my residence or Freeze to Death in the Winter time without electricity. Any one know a good ATTORNEY maybe pro bono?
Do you happen to know if there’s an opt out for missouri? I’ve been searching but I can’t find a deffinate yes or no and the power company is giving me the runaround.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any information on Missouri. I would suggest that you ask your public utility commission for information.
I live in a rural area on#11 tch Ontario Canada I have a smart meter , but why -Hydro One estimate’s the meter every 30 days for 60 days then on about 90 days they drive in and read the meter ? How dam smart is it really!
What is it really transmitting???
So every month I get a bill , for estimated cost $25-$45 the third bill will be adjusted from the last reading to current reading for 90 days about $245
So what the HELL is the smart meter actually doing!
Can I have the old style meter replaced?
Dave, it would not be unusual for you to have a non-working smart meter. In BC Hydro has installed about 50,000 in areas where they know the smeters cannot work because the homes are too far apart and the collectors are impractical for communication to be possible. You could well ask why they put this thing on your home to begin with, and, as in BC, they did it because they could. No reason. They want everyone to have a smeter whether it is being used or not. You should lodge a complaint with your utility commission. Why should you have a fire hazard on your home when there is no reason whatsoever for it.
I flat out refused their radio off meter installation today . My child has epilepsy! I will Never allow it! They can flood me with fees and letters , her health comes first! I told him the legacy meter is still working so go away.
Please add my new electric company to the list. Parke County REMC, Indiana USA has a $75.00 per MONTH opt-out penalty!
As far as I can tell, this is the highest penalty in North America.
See page 13 for opt-out policy.
https://pcremc.com/sites/pcremc/files/PARKE%20REMC%20-%20Rules%20and%20Regs_11.16.18.pdf
Appendix B, page for for penalty.
“If member does not permit Parke County REMC to install a meter that communicates with Parke County REMC (“Communicating Meter”) on member’s premises, Parke County REMC shall charge member a monthly opt-out charge of $75 per service location each month to recognize the cost of manually reading the meter.”
I live in Ipswich Ma. I purchased a rebuilt house (like new) and the contractor had a smart meter installed. When I called the town they said they would remove it for a charge and replace with an analog device but my bill would be an extra $30 a month because that would be how much it would cost them to come out and manually read it. Can they do that?
Go to your electricity provider’s website and search opt out. The rules should be listed there.
‘anyone know how to opt out in Ontario and what the penalties might be? I haven’t seen anything regarding opting out on the Hydro One website.
Regarding charges for reading meters, I’d be happy to read the meter myself (like we did in the old days) and submit the readings online or by mail. That way, Hydro One only has to read the meter once a year to verify.
My provider, Duck River Membership Cooperative here in middle TN is wanting to charge me an additional $25/month for opting out & to keep the old analog meter. Greedy, bullying shmucks! Try to justify it to cover the cost of a meter reader coming once a month to physically read the old meter. If I’m currently paying $200/month for a power & monthly meter reader, why should it cost an additional $25/month to receive the same service I’m currently paying for?! Bunch of BS to control, obtain, and sell my usage data to 3rd parties for additional $$$ & they want to charge me $25 more a month to protect my own privacy!
We are in central Missouri. The provider, Boone Electric says we need to switch to smart meter by the end of the month, which is in two days.
I have caught them leaking in my yard several times, and I have politely declined. I wrote on my meter with black sharpie, instructing them not to change it, should they show up while I’m not home.
They called my husband today and told him we “must” let them install it.
Can anyone help, please?
Water & Sewer Utilities for the City of Eagan, Minnesota is charging no set-up fee and a quarterly charge of $50 for opting out. I am currently trying to fight this and have it reduced. They just started installing the smart water meters this summer.
I am in Indiana with Clark County REMC. We built a home and they only have smart meters(or that is what they claim). Is there anything that anyone can suggest that I do ? I am very ill with Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions. Thanks !
Hi Sharon, I’m from BC and fought the SM fight. Recently divorced and BC Hydro made me create a new account on my home of 30 years. Even though my Ex spoke to them and gave them permission to take his name off. I was also on the account, secondarily, as I did all the bills. Then they said the SM Radio off option goes with the main account holder only. They do not want the amount of radio-off meters to increase. Is there anything I can do? It all seems so militarily unfair. This is a health issue and it’s bad enough we have to pay for them not to harm us. Frustrated the average citizen is still asleep in front of the hockey games they have so much time for.
Thank you for all you do……j