Q: Why does PGE use NW Natural meter readers to read PGE meters?

A: That’s a great question. Since 2000, PGE and NW Natural have joined together to read natural gas and electric meters in Portland and Salem where our service areas overlap. By cooperating, both utilities improve efficiency and control costs.

Regardless of whether it’s a PGE meter reader or NW Natural meter reader who visits your home, you can be confident that your meter is being read accurately. All meter readers have been thoroughly trained, and special software allows both gas and electric meters to be read by one meter reader.

Natural gas data goes directly to NW Natural. Electric data goes directly to PGE.

Joint meter reading is one example of how we’re always exploring new ways to serve you more efficiently. Smart meters are another example. Just this month, we received approval from the Oregon Public Utility Commission to begin installing this advanced metering infrastructure that will allow us to read your meter remotely and provide you with more detailed usage information. Smart meters will help PGE and our customers manage energy use, enhance customer service and further reduce operating expenses.

We'll begin to test the smart meters in limited areas this year and expect to wrap up installation by the end of 2010. PGE will contact you before we swap out your meter. Learn more about smart meter technology in our News Room.