Automated Meter Reading Being Implemented By PWC
Technology helps reduce costs and provides customers
options & conveniences

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August 27, 2003

Technological advances in meter reading are reducing operating costs and will provide more conveniences for customers in the future PWC staff told the PWC Board during their Wednesday morning meeting.

Automated meter reading (AMR) using radio transmitters is currently being implemented on PWC electric and water meters. The technology allows meters to be read by radio waves as workers drive through neighborhoods rather than requiring them to walk to each individual meter. The AMR reduces cost by increasing productivity, reduces the number of meter re-reads and reduces the incidents of estimation when meters aren't accessible.

Since the AMR program began in 2000, operating costs have reduced by over $100,000 even as the number of meter reads a year has increased by over 100,000. To-date, over 70% of PWC's residential electric customers have an AMR device installed on their electric meter. PWC anticipates all residential electric customers having AMR by the summer of 2004. Approximately 30% of residential water customers currently have AMR devices. PWC estimates that within 3 years, all will have AMR.

Once the program is fully-implemented, PWC General Manager Steve Blanchard told the board that not only will it help PWC continue to reduce costs but customers will benefit with additional convenience and payment options.

An example of this is commercial and industrial customers having the ability to monitor their own energy usage down to the hour because of the AMR technology. PWC commissioner Terri Union noted that this would be a plus in customer retention and an industry-recruiting tool.

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