Dive Summary:

• Canada’s Energy Minister Bill Bennett said Thursday that British Columbia (BC) customers opting out of its $1 billion smart meter rollout will have to pay an extra $20 a month for radio-off or analog-meter services.
• Nearly 60,000 people, customers of BC Hydro utility, have refused the smart meters amidst claims of negative health impacts from high-frequency radio waves transmitting data to BC Hydro computers, allowing consumers to monitor their energy use on a daily basis.
• "People who want to opt out can," Bennet said. "They will not be forced to have a smart meter, but they are going to have to pay the costs." Already, 1.8 million smart meters have been installed on BC properties.

From the article:

“Opposition New Democrat energy critic John Horgan said the Liberals hard-line approach to forcing smart meters on British Columbians has failed.”