Public consultation is underway as Nelson Hydro awaits a decision from the B.C. Utilities Commission on its proposed advanced metering infrastructure project.
Nelson City Council approved the next step in the project in June, directing staff to submit an application to the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of the rural portion of the proposed smart meter rollout.
The application was submitted June 30, and the utility expects a decision later this year.
Nelson Hydro general manager Dan Geissler said the public engagement phase is a key part of the approval process because about 47 per cent of Nelson Hydro’s customers live outside the city.
“The BCUC regulates the customers that are outside the city and that’s why it has to approve the advanced metering infrastructure project.”
The proposed project would replace Nelson Hydro’s aging automated meter reading (AMR) system, which has been in use for more than 20 years, with a modern advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system.
According to the city, Nelson Hydro is one of the last remaining utilities in Canada still using AMR.
Unlike the current AMR system, AMI allows two-way communication between meters and the utility. The city said the technology would automate meter readings, improve outage detection and response times, provide more detailed information about electricity use and improve monitoring of the electrical system.
Geissler said community engagement remains the utility’s focus while the application is under review.
“The biggest part for us, as a utility, to acquire BCUC approval, is to make sure we’re consulting and engaging with the community,” he said.
Residents with questions are encouraged to visit the city’s Let’s Talk Nelson website, where they can learn more about the proposal, submit questions and provide feedback.
Geissler said customers can also submit feedback directly to the BCUC.
“At the bottom of our website too, there’s an opportunity for you to provide direct questions to either the city or straight to BCUC yourself, so you can bypass us completely and go straight to a form to put questions to BCUC,” he said.
Nelson Hydro is also hosting a public open house Sept. 9 at the Prestige Lakeside Resort from 4 to 6 p.m. Those who want to attend are asked to RSVP through the Let’s Talk Nelson website.
If approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission, implementation of the project could begin in 2027.
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