PGE is upgrading electric meters for all our customers with a new generation of smart meters. These digital meters will allow PGE to read the meter remotely over a private, secure wireless network, much like a cell phone network. Once the system is fully installed in your area, meter readers will no longer have to visit your home every month to read the meter. In the meantime, meter readers will continue to read the meters manually until the wireless network is activated. Over the long-term, PGE will still require periodic access to the meter for routine maintenance and testing.
Your monthly bill will arrive and payment will be due on your normal schedule.
Quick installation, brief service interruption
Installation is quick and straightforward. Your electric service will be interrupted for just a few minutes. Our contractor, Wellington Energy, Inc., will send a uniformed crew to your neighborhood. The installation crew will knock on your door before they exchange the meters. If they are unable to access your meter for some reason, the installers will leave a door hanger with contact information so you can call and arrange a time for them to return and exchange the meter.
If you have any questions, please e-mail us or call 800-542-8818.
Benefits
You’ll continue to enjoy the same reliable electrical service and your bill will look the same as before. But smart meters will help us to improve customer service, operate more efficiently and keep our rates as low as possible. There are several advantages:
- Saves money: We anticipate millions in savings per year following the installation of smart meters. Controlling costs helps keep electric rates as low as possible.
- Saves the environment: Fewer meter-reading vehicles will cut 1.2 million miles of driving, save 80,000 gallons of gasoline and reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 million pounds every year.
- Helps you save energy: By 2010, customers with smart meters will be able to access detailed information about their power consumption. Together, we can help you plan energy-saving strategies.
- Speeds power restoration: Further down the road, the new meters will be able to tell PGE if you’re experiencing a power outage. That can help us dispatch repair crews more efficiently and speed the restoration of service.
- Enables smart grid technology: Smart metering is the foundation for future “smart grid” and “smart home” technology that will help us optimize our services and lower your energy costs.
Installation schedule
Starting in spring 2009, PGE will implement the upgrade throughout the entire service area. The upgrade is scheduled to be completed by fall 2010. During the implementation of the plan, meter readers will continue to manually read some meters. Once the system is operational, all meters will be read remotely.
More about smart meters