In 2013, a seven-year process of considering pros and cons of Smart Meters lead Eugene to one of the most progressive policies in the country. That policy is spelled out here. Pay special attention to the Principles approved on page 9. We will get back to them. The EWEB board voted on and approved it.
Five years later, in the early months of 2018, a new policy was decided. It passed with an amendment stating that the principles of the 2013 decision would guide the new policy. That change is spelled out here on pages 7 and 8.
A month later, the General Manager, Frank Lawson, rolled out a new policy, ignoring and rescinding the original principles completely. He admits it here, on page 4.
He is not actually empowered to do that. His job is to execute the decisions made by the board of commissioners, not reverse or override them.
The original principles approved give customers the right to refuse installation of a Smart Meter and opt out (get back an analog meter) after opting in.
The current definition of opt out—now meaning a non-broadcasting but still EMF-emitting unit—is also a policy change. The original meaning of opt out was keeping a safe, completely non-emitting analog meter.