Vancouver: The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) has approved the Meter Choices fees that will apply to customers who choose to retain an old meter or a radio-off meter. BC Hydro filed an application last fall to recover fees to offset the expense of providing meter options to eligible customers.

The BCUC determined the cost for customers who have retained an old meter will be $32.40 per month while the cost for customers who chose a radio-off meter will be $20 per month.

The set up cost for a radio-off meter will be $22.60 with an exit fee of $55.00 for an overall fee of about $77. As some of the final fees differ from the interim rate, BC Hydro will adjust customers’ bills accordingly.

The fees to retain an old meter came into effect Dec. 2, 2013 and the fees for a radio-off meter were effective as of Apr. 1, 2014.

Last summer, the Province of B.C. announced three choices for eligible residential customers who did not have a smart meter installed:

  1. a standard smart meter at no cost;
  2. a radio-off meter for a $100 set-up fee and $20 monthly fee; and
  3. keeping an old meter for a $35 monthly fee as long as stock lasts.

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