Hydro-Qubec smart meter opt-out deadline arrives

Its the final day for Quebecers to opt out ofHydro-Qubecs new smart meters at a discounted rate.

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After Jan. 5, the installation charge for an alternative, manual meter will increase from $15 to $85.

The alternative meter will also requirea monthly meter-reading charge of $5.

The deadline applies to those who received a letter from Hydro-Qubec or have the new meter already installed.

The new smart meters enable Hydro-Qubec to measure electricity usage remotely, and some residents have complained their wireless signal leads tonegative side effects, including headaches.

Hydro-Qubec saystheir smart meters emit a tiny fraction of the radio frequencyproduced by a common household microwave.

Less than one per cent of customers have requested an alternative meter, according to thepublic utility.

Magog takes astand

The Town of Magog in the Eastern Townships is advising residents to refuse the new technology and wants to ban smart meters across its territory.

Magog Mayor Vicki May Hamm said the town has sought out legal advice in hopes of passing a by-law banning the technology on its territory.

Hamm said she's still waiting to find out if any such by-law would have weight against the utility.

A large part of the municipality gets its electricity from Hydro Magog, which refused to adopt the technology two years ago.

The town is recommending that people in rural parts of the town,who get service from Hydro-Qubec,also opt out of the new installations.

The mayorsaid another technology, such asfibreoptics, could be a better fit and is hoping to launcha pilot project in the municipality to test that theory in the coming year.