Questions remain for province, SaskPower following smart meter report
Premier Wall comments on smart meter controversy
Many questions remain for the province and SaskPower following the release of a review of the Crown corporation's smart meter program.
SaskPower CEO Robert Watson resigned following the report, which described how warning signs were missed and customer safety was not given enough priority.
Now, some are asking if the minister responsible for SaskPower, Bill Boyd, should be following Watson out the door.
"I think it sends precisely the wrong message that if the minister who leads on that, who then takes every effort to make sure everything's out transparently pays for it with their job," said Premier Brad Wall.
(Sensus) provide a strong network solution for Saskatchewan. And we're going to continue employing that solution,- Mike Marsh, Interim President & CEO
Despite calls from the provincial Opposition, SaskPower will continue its business relationship with Sensus — the manufacturer of the failed smart meters.
"They provide a strong network solution for Saskatchewan. And we're going to continue employing that solution," said Mike Marsh, Interim President and CEO of SaskPower.
Despite the all of the problems — eight of the smart meters caught on fire on customers' homes earlier this year — SaskPower is planning another smart meter program.
Marsh said that is still two years away. For now, the focus is on fixing problems.
He's also aware public trust will have to be earned back.
"We're going to have to share a lot more with our customers up front and ahead of the game. We're going to have to talk about our testing programs and what we've done to bring the level of confidence back up," said Marsh.
Wall said if Sensus cannot design a meter that works properly in all weather conditions, then the company will be asked to provide a full refund to the province.
That would include the $42 million already paid back and the $18 million set aside for the new smart meters. Wall said he hoped an additional $5 million would be used for research and development into a better, safer smart meter program.