Smart meters enable hydro utilities to charge their customers time-of-use rates, which go up during peak periods and fall during periods of low demand.

It has already cost local utilities more than $1 billion to buy and install 4.3 million smart meters in homes and businesses across the province – a cost that’s also being absorbed by ratepayers.

The new charge will cover the operating costs of the system.

http://www.thestar.com/business/2012/03/23/hydro_smart_meter_251_million_more_reasons_to_care.html