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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 4 Oakville Hydro replaces smart meters over safety concerns by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville Hydro is removing two smart meter models as part of a province-wide safety measures announced last Thursday by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Ontario's local distribution companies (LDCs) were directed by the ESA to replace and discontinue use of a specific model of electrical meter: the Sensus 3.2 with remote disconnect. "We're acting out of an abundance of caution," ESA president and CEO David Collie said Thursday, Jan. 22 at Queen's Park. There are only 5,400 of these meters reported in use in Ontario; there are 4.8 million meters total in Ontario. "This particular meter is in very limited use," Collie said. "Even though the probability of a serious event in Ontario is low, nonetheless we have taken the proactive and prudent step and directed LDCs to remove these meters from service in order to eliminate any risk." Oakville Hydro was replacing the two meters in question on Friday, Jan. 23, but would not disclose the exact location of the boxes because of customer privacy. Hydro spokesperson Cassandra Umbriaco said the meters were installed because of its "remote disconnect, reconnect capabilities." "It gives the ability to connect and disconnect from the office instead of having to dispatch a crew out," she said. The ESA said Sensus 3.2 meters without the disconnect feature are not impacted because they have a different remote-disconnect meter. inside today's Spotlight Beaver Trails Health Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 23 24 Arts Sports Classified 26 28 33 Pharmasave Drugs, Metro, Best Buy, M&M Meats, Lastman's Bad Boy, Salvation Army Recycling, Loblaws, Flyer Flyer, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Lowes Canada, Hear More Canada, Michael Angelo's, Food Basics, Palma Pasta, Beddington's Bed & Bath, Cogeco, Royal LePage, JYSK Bed & Bath, 2001 Audio Video, Hudson's Bay Co., Fortinos, Centennial Windows, Peoples, Global Pet Foods, Pharma Plus, Sears, Longo's, Rexall, Brick Mattress, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, Michael's, Staples, Walmart, The Brick, Sobeys, Future Shop, Drug Trading, Freshco For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes Collie said the ESA started investigating after eight minor fires in Saskatchewan last summer that were linked to the Sensus 3.3, a different model of remote-disconnect meter. "Although there were no serious incidents reported in Ontario involving these meters, when we learned of the events in Saskatchewan we undertook a due diligence safety review to determine if there were any implications for Ontario," he said. The Toronto Star reported since 2011, the Sensus 3.2 with remote disconnect meters have been linked to 13 small fires, according to the Ontario Fire Marshal's office. It's the latest snag to hit the controversial $2-billion smart meter program, which Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk criticized last month for cost overruns and poor performance. Burlington Hydro spokesperson Christine Hallas said the removal notice did not affect the utility. "Burlington Hydro would like to assure customers that there are no Sensus meters installed in the City of Burlington," she said. 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