What to know about N.B. Power's right to install a smart meter on your home

N.B. Power is asking for New Brunwickers to treat the utility's employees better after a worker was allegedly assaulted in Cap-Pelé, and as telephone support workers face verbal abuse.

"Following Thursday's social media post, feedback from smart meter installers indicates that customers are more polite and respectful today," N.B Power spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser said in an emailed statement.

"We would like to remind the public to be kind — violence and aggressive behaviour is not the answer."

Nicole Poirier, vice-president of operations for N.B. Power, said much of the public's animosity is targeted toward the new smart meters. 

N.B. Power installed the meters as part of an effort to modernize — they allow the utility to access a home's energy usage remotely — but some customers have recently blamed the meters for sudden increases in power bills this year.

At a legislature committee earlier this year, N.B. Power executives said that increased power usage had likely been caused by colder weather, increased power rates and a longer billing period but they couldn't explain anecdotes of anomalies.

With people expressing anger about the meters, what rights do homeowners have if N.B. Power workers come to install them?

The province's electricity act gives the utility legal rights to access private property to install or maintain its equipment, which includes meters. 

"Residential property owners can opt-out from getting a smart meter, either prior to installation or directly at the door with the installer," Fraser said in her statement.

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In the weeks prior to installation, customers will receive written and phone notice from N.B. Power, Fraser said. Customers can also reach out any time to refuse a smart meter, she said.

"There is no fee to opt-out, however once smart meters are installed across New Brunswick, a monthly fee will be charged to customers who have refused a smart meter in order to cover the cost to maintain older systems and manual processes," Fraser said.

The fee will be reviewed and approved by the province's Energy and Utilities Board, she said. 

In addition to the meters, the utility's prices for customers are rising 30 per cent in three years. This year alone, residential customers face an average of $244 in higher charges compared to last year.

That spike has increased scrutiny of N.B. Power and spurred the government to order an external audit of the billing system.

N.B. Power employees who install smart meters all receive safety training and must pass a written test, Fraser said, which includes de-escalation training and identifying aggressive behaviour before it happens.

The utility's website said smart meters have been installed across western and central New Brunswick over the past two years.

Currently the utility is in the middle of installing them across the province's south and southeast regions. Installations in the northeast will take place this spring through fall.