When KIUC began its smart meter installation project in 2012, we knew that a small number of people had concerns about these devices and that no amount of information from credible sources could persuade them to accept their installation on
When KIUC began its smart meter installation project in 2012, we knew that a small number of people had concerns about these devices and that no amount of information from credible sources could persuade them to accept their installation on their homes.
That’s why our board adopted the policy that enabled customers to decline a smart meter. We’re one of the few utility cooperatives that offers a choice. We’ve been consistent in saying if you don’t want a meter, you don’t have to have one.
Today, 90 percent of our customers have smart meters.
We have also been consistent in saying that there is a cost to reading and servicing old meters – it’s not free.
The cost is about $340,000 a year.
Because our board didn’t think it was fair for all members to pay for the choice made by a few, we began charging a monthly fee of $10.27 to the 3,000 customers whose meters must be read manually. We also charge a one-time fee of $50.64 to customers who ask KIUC to change their meter to anything but a smart meter.
These fees were approved in October by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, which described them as “reasonable.”
KIUC isn’t making money on these fees. They cover the costs of labor, vehicles and equipment used to read and maintain a variety of old meters. They are similar to the fees charged by utilities on the Mainland to customers who don’t want a smart meter (a detailed Frequently Asked Questions is on our website, www.kiuc.coop).
This decision to charge fees is simply about cost and about fairness. With our standard meter now a wireless device that can automatically transmit meter readings to our office, the people who keep their old meters are requiring a customized service – manual meter reading.
We don’t think it’s fair to ask the 90 percent of members who use a smart meter to pay for the 10 percent who don’t.
You’ll soon receive a ballot from KIUC asking you to vote on whether to keep the fees for those who choose not to use smart meters.
Please watch for the ballot in the mail and vote yes.
As members, you elected this board to lead the cooperative and to make decisions that we believe are in the best interests of all. As we have seen with the smart meter issue, sometimes we won’t agree.
But with all of the divisiveness we are experiencing in our own community and seeing on the national level, I sincerely hope we can continue to work constructively and with aloha to reach the ambitious goals we have set for our cooperative.
Mahalo for your consideration. On behalf of our board, I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014.
• Allan A. Smith of Lihue, a retired executive of Grove Farm, Inc. and longtime sugar plantation manager, is chairman of the board of directors of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.
