Via Email
david@legalmind.ca December 28, 2011
Mr. David M. Aaron
Barrister & Solicitor
Box 479
Nelson, BC V1L 5R3
Dear Mr. Aaron:
Re: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Andrea Collins and the Citizen for Safe Technology Society
Complaint under Section 47 of the Utilities Commission Act
Your December 22, 2011 letter requests that the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) issue an Order requiring British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) to “to cease and desist from the implementation of the Unauthorized Extensions” referred to in your letter as components of the BC Hydro “Smart Meter” program (the Complaint).
The Commission has reviewed the Complaint, and is not persuaded that the situation and the concerns that you raise warrant an order from Commission “on an urgent and interim basis, without hearing and without delay.” Your letter does not identify material and irreparable harm that is likely to result if the Commission applies its usual written submission process for complaints, to the matters that you raise.
Therefore, by copy of this Letter, the Commission directs that BC Hydro will submit a written response to the Complaint by Friday, January 13, 2012, with a copy to the Complainant. The Complainant may reply in writing to the submission of
BC Hydro by no later than Friday, January 27, 2012.
In a related matter, by letter dated June 20, 2011, BC Hydro stated that it intends to include a discussion on risk associated with wireless communication from and to smart meters when it files its next report on electric and magnetic fields risk assessments and guidelines in January 2012. The Commission requests that BC Hydro provide an update on plans for this filing when it files its submission on the Complaint.
Yours truly,
Alanna Gillis
JBW/dg
cc: Ms. Janet Fraser
Chief Regulatory Officer
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
bchydroregulatorygroup@bchydro.com