Gary Murphy of BC Hydro opens a box containing smart meter units. The Saskatchewan government’s power company was ordered to remove more than 100,000 smart meters installed in homes after the devices caught fire in June and July.BRETT BEADLE/The Globe and Mail
Saskatchewan's Opposition says the government's deal to recoup money from a smart-meter company isn't good enough after their meters were linked to at least eight fires.
Last summer, the province ordered SaskPower to remove more than 100,000 smart meters that had already been installed in homes after devices caught fire in June and July.
The U.S. manufacturer Sensus is refunding $24 million for all the smart meters the province purchased. That covers all devices that were installed and have to be removed, as well as those that haven't been put in yet.
The company is also giving SaskPower $18 million in credit for new meters and another $5 million for research on a device suited to the Saskatchewan climate.
NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon says the government should be reimbursed for the full $47-million cost of the meters and cut ties with Sensus.
Economy Minister Bill Boyd says the government will recover all the money if Sensus doesn't provide a satisfactory replacement for the faulty meters.