Dive Summary:
- Ron Edge, a 67-year-old retired cement company purchasing agent living in Baker City, Ore., would rather see the Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) cut off power to his home than accept the smart meter that the utility wants to install on his property.
- OTEC maintains that the smart meters will improve service and save customers money, but Edge is concerned about health risks that he has heard about.
- The Vietnam War veteran is stockpiling supplies in case OTEC cuts off his power, but he is also considering a compromise wherein the utility would install the new smart meter farther away from his home than originally planned.
From the article:
"... 'I have no intention of accepting that meter,' he says.
Edge is concerned about the negative effects the meter might have on his health and on the health of others in his home, and he’s worried about how the power company might use the information gleaned by smart meters.
If the power is disconnected from the home where he’s lived for 18 years — as OTEC says it will do if he refuses to allow the smart meter to be installed — Edge says he’ll rely on two heating stoves powered by natural gas. ..."
