September 30, 2011 

VICTORIA - The BC Liberal government must put the implementation of the smart
meter program on hold until a full independent review can be completed, said
Opposition energy critic John Horgan.

"We've had serious concerns from the beginning that this is a
billion dollars wasted on a bad idea. With the Union of BC Municipalities
voting in favour of a moratorium this morning, it's clearly time the BC Liberal
government started listening to communities and to ratepayers," said
Horgan.

"This vote at the UBCM tells me communities around the province
are hearing the same concerns I am, but this arrogant BC Liberal government just
won't listen," said Horgan, noting the energy minister announced the program
would move forward regardless of how the UBCM vote went. 

The BC Liberals have mandated the replacement of analog hydro meters
with new digital "smart" meters on every home in the province by the end of
2012 at a cost of nearly a billion dollars.

"It is time for the Liberals to stop thinking they know what's
best and start listening to the people they are supposed to be working for.
Let's use the independent review process we have in place at the BC Utilities
Commission to take a look at all the unanswered questions about smart meters,"
said Horgan.

Horgan pointed out that the BC Liberals have removed independent BCUC
oversight for $12 billion worth of spending at BC Hydro, opening to the
floodgates to massive spending without public accountability.

"Simply put, the Liberals have made a mess of BC Hydro with all
their meddling and wrong-headed decision making. Their own review panel found
that BC Liberal policies are costing ratepayers millions of dollars unnecessarily,
proving they have no business micro-managing BC Hydro.

Adrian Dix and the Official Opposition are calling for more
accountability at BC Hydro by restoring the function of the independent BC
Utilities Commission to fully review all spending and programs, including the
smart meter program.

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