A First Nation near Merritt is gearing up for battle against BC Hydro over concerns about the safety of smart meters.
The Lower Nicola Indian Band is putting locks on its Hydro meters to keep smart meter installation crews out because of worries that the radio waves are dangerous.
"A few of the band membership had some questions, health concerns, and our leadership asked to have more information on those questions and more and more questions surfaced," the band's Joe Schuter told CTV News.
"Both [sides of the issue] have their own tests that they refer to, their own studies and both seem to have opposite answers."
He says the locks will remain on until the band knows more about potential health impacts. The band is also distributing notices for all residents to post reading "Do not install the smart meter."
BC Hydro representatives were not available to comment on the band's actions Wednesday, but they have repeatedly insisted that smart meter technology doesn't pose any health dangers.
"It's absolutely safe. It's been confirmed safe by the health authorities, including the provincial health officer, the World Health Organization and Health Canada," spokeswoman Cindy Verschoor said in a past interview.
Hydro says there is no opt-out option for people who don't want smart meters, but it remains to be seen how the company will handle the Lower Nicola protest.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat
