Jerry Flynn is not surprised by BC Hydro's inability to meet its deadline to implement a $1-billion smart-meter program.
The retired Armed Forces radiation specialist has been leading the local campaign against smart hydro meters. He says the fact 140,000 units had not been installed by the end of 2012 shows residents of B.C. have made their voices heard.
"The majority of our members agree the reason the Liberals needed the extension is because too many people objected to the smart meters being installed in their homes," said Flynn.
Last Thursday, the government announced BC Hydro would not be able to meet the Dec. 31, 2012, deadline to have smart meters installed in every home in the province, because too many customers were refusing the installation. The new deadline has been pushed to Dec. 31, 2013.
The New Democrats are calling on the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) to step in.
"The Liberals are clearly not up to the challenges facing British Columbians, so it's time to get some help. I'd like to see the B.C. Utilities Commission invited back to the table to help explore what options are out there to satisfy concerned consumers that want another choice," said New Democrat energy critic John Horgan in a media release.
The rollout of the smart-meter plan by BC Hydro has been controversial since it was announced in the Clean Energy Act of 2010, primarily because of health concerns.
Flynn and others believe exposure to electromagnetic rays emitted from the smart meters to transmit information wirelessly can be harmful.
He hopes this delay and the BCUC stepping in will spark a change in the government's plans.
"Nobody takes Fortis or BC Hydro to task," he said. "More and more people were becoming duped."
FortisBC's plan to install smart meters is still going through the approval process.
Liberal MLAs in Kelowna were unavailable for comment.