BC Hydro hit with smart meter class-action lawsuit

A Saltspring Island woman has initiated a class-action lawsuit against B.C. Hydro over smart meters.

Nomi Davis is suing the utility for installing a smart meter at her home last year against her wishes.

Court documents say Davis was concerned about the device's high-frequency emissions and when she asked Hydro to remove it, the company threatened to cut off the electrical supply.

The lawsuit demands that Hydro remove meters from homes where people don't want them and calls for the company to be blocked from charging additional fees to people who opt out of the smart meter program.

Earlier this month, Energy Minister Bill Bennett said British Columbians opposed to the smart meters can opt out of the program, but the decision would cost them extra cash.

• Smart meter holdouts have other options but at a cost

BC Hydro says 96 per cent of its customers have switched to the new meters, and that there are now 1.8 million in use around the province.

The B.C. government says the provincial health officer, Health Canada and the World Health Organization report that smart meters pose no known health risks.