So I called Xcel this morning and this is what I was told:
We have the opt-out option, which will incur in additional fees (I guess for the cost of having someone come to read the analog meter).
Or we can get the smart reader.
The new pricing structure is supposedly going to be optional:
Come April 2022 we would be given the option of either keep our current rate or getting into the new deal (I guess for some folks it could be cheaper).
Either way they will replace the existing unit with a new one (smart or analog) which may or may not give the same readings as before...
So, considering that if they want to increase my readings/bill there's really not much I can do, and considering I only have a swamp cooler, no fancy computerized AC, I will probably let them do it and stay with my current rate.