MID’s SMART meter upgrade project – Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

MID is upgrading all residential and commercial electric meters beginning in Dec. 2008. Customers may see authorized technicians f rom MID or our contractor, Wellington Energy, installing digital “smart” meters in their areas. Starting in 2009, MID will use a secure, wireless communication system (similar to a cellular telephone network) to read electric meters by remote control.

General Meter Project Questions

• Is MID really upgrading every electric meter it owns?
• How do these digital meters work?
• Will a meter reader still come to my address?
• Will MID still need access to my electric meter?
• Does this mean MID is switching to time-of-use electric rates?
• Are other utilities upgrading to similar digital meters, and are their programs successful?
• What if I don’t want my electric meter changed?
• What’s that light I see coming out of my new digital smart meter after dark? Should I be concerned about it?

Meter Project Benefits & Costs

• What are the BENEFITS  for customers?
• What are the BENEFITS for MID?
• How much will MID’s SMART meter project cost?
• How long will it take to recoup MID ratepayers’ investment in the SMART meter project?
• Why is MID investing in this project now when electric rates are going up?

Reading the SMART Meters

• How do I know that the new system will read my meter accurately?
• If I think my meter was read incorrectly, can I have it read again?
• Can I read the new meter myself, like I used to?

Power Outages During the Meter Installation

• Will the electricity be turned off while the new meter is installed? For how long?

Meter Installation, Appointments, Access To Electric Meters

• Do I need to be present when my new electric meter is installed?
• What if the technician comes when I’m not there and cannot reach my meter?
• Do I need to make an appointment to have my  new meter installed?
• Since MID will read my meter remotely from now on, will it be OK to keep my gates locked all the time?
• My gates are always locked, so I gave MID a key so that MID’s authorized personnel can access my electric meter. Can I keep that arrangement in place?

Important Telephone Numbers

About MID Meter Readers

GENERAL METER  PROJECT QUESTIONS

Is MID really upgrading every electric meter it owns?

Almost all, a total of almost 100,000 electric meters. Between Dec. 29, 2008 and mid-2009, MID will replace almost every residential and commercial electric meter in its service area with an advanced digital “smart” meter.

• Residential electric meters in the Mountain House community will NOT be replaced. Mountain House is a unique community of all new homes built within the last 10 years.  Advanced digital smart meters were installed when these homes were built.

How do these digital meters work?

The new meters are electronic, not electromechanical. Old-fashioned dials are replaced with an easy-to-read, digital liquid crystal display. Smart meters will transmit your electric usage data by radio to data collection points. From there data will be relayed via fiber-optic cable or a secure cellular telephone network to MID’s downtown office. MID will read the new meters by remote control using a secure, wireless communication system.

Will a meter reader still come to my address?

MID meter readers will read the new digital smart meters manually during a two- to three-month transition period. During this period MID will perform extensive testing to ensure that our remote communications and billing systems are working correctly. After this, meter readers will no longer routinely visit customer locations. MID meter technicians will still be available to check meters for reliability, repair meters and replace broken meters as needed.

Will MID still need access to my electric meter?

Yes, MID technicians will still need occasional access to your meter for repairs, replacement and testing, Please make sure our meter technicians can still access your electric meter for necessary maintenance.

Does this mean MID is switching to time-of-use electric rates?

Not at this time. However, the MID Board of Directors may consider time-based electric rates in the future. MID’s new digital smart meters can support time-of-use rates. It’s possible that in the future, the state of California may require electric utilities to adopt time-of-use rates.

Are other utilities upgrading to similar digital meters, and are their programs successful?

Yes, electric utilities in several states successfully use similar electronic meters or plan to do so, including California’s three large investor-owned utilities. Several northern California electric utilities are already moving to install smart electric meters in counties that include San Joaquin and Stanislaus. Smart gas meters were installed in the Modesto area in 2008. Some water utilities are also adopting this type of meter. Digital smart meters are likely to be required by law or regulation in California, perhaps as early as 2009.

What if I don’t want my electric meter changed?

Both the California Energy Commission and the California Legislature are looking into requiring electric utilities to adopt advanced digital meter technology in the near future. Federal energy law already strongly encourages utilities to move in this direction.

What’s that light I see coming out of my new digital smart meter after dark? Should I be concerned about it?

It’s an indicator light that shows your electric meter is turned on and working. It’s similar to indicator lights on many home appliances, TV sets and personal computers. Specifically, the light is an LED (light-emitting diode). It’s the same type of bulb as those used in flashlights, holiday light strings and many consumer products.

METER PROJECT BENEFITS & COSTS

What are the BENEFITS  for customers?

Digital smart meters will:

• Automatically notify MID if your power goes out. We’ll dispatch repair crews to restore your electric service faster and more efficiently.
• Eliminate the need to send meter readers to your home.
• Enable MID to drive over 200,000 fewer miles each year, spend less money on gasoline and cut carbon and other harmful air emissions.
• Lay the groundwork for innovative energy conservation programs in the future.
• Speak the same language as energy-efficient, next-generation “smart” appliances.

MID is a local government agency similar to a school district or a fire district. We operate on a not-for-profit basis. Whenever MID can reduce costs, increase efficiency or add a new service, we pass those benefits on to you, our customer.

What are the BENEFITS for MID?

Digital smart meters will:

• Make routine utility activities more efficient, reducing costs over the long run.
  Examples include service connections/disconnections, on-demand meter reads for renters moving in or out and routine monthly meter reading.
• Reduce revenue loss from tampering with old mechanical electric meters.
• Encourage customers to use electricity more efficiently by enabling time-based electric rates.
• Automatically notify MID when power outages occur at a customer’s location.

How much will MID’s SMART meter project cost?

How long will it take to recoup MID ratepayers’ investment in the SMART meter project?

MID anticipates recouping the approximately $21.27 million investment in the SMART meter project in a five- to ten-year time frame. Subsequent savings will be passed on to ratepayers.

Why is MID investing in this project now when electric rates are going up?

• Smart meters may soon be mandated by the state of California, perhaps as soon as 2009.
• There’s also a practical reason: Changing to a remote wireless meter-reading system is an all-or-nothing business move. It would be inefficient and expensive to send a meter reader into the field to read just a handful of meters on each route.

READING THE NEW SMART METERS

How do I know that the new system will read my meter accurately?

• MID meter readers will continue to read your new digital meter for two to three months. During this test period MID will ensure that our meters, remote communications links and billing system are working correctly.
• MID’s digital smart meters were calibrated at the factory. The meters have been certified to comply with standards of the American National Standards Institute and tested to ensure accurate measurements within three-tenths of one percent.  

If I think my meter was read incorrectly, can I have it read again?

Yes, MID will gladly re-read your electric meter at no charge to you (first request). If you request a second meter re-read within 12 months, there is a $35 charge (MID 2009 electric rates). This charge is waived if the meter reading was wrong. 

Can I read the new meter myself, like I used to?

• Yes, it’s easy to read your new digital smart meter. Your new meter will automatically be set to ZERO kilowatthours (kWh) when it is installed. As you use electricity in the months and years ahead, the number of kWh shown on the meter will accumulate.
• To read the meter, simply read the numbers you see in the digital display
• FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. That is the total kWh of electricity you have used to date. Write down the number and keep it until next month.
• Read the meter again on the same day of the month. Now compare this month’s number with last month’s number. Subtract the smaller number from the larger number to see how many kWh of electricity you used during the month. It’s that easy!

POWER OUTAGES DURING METER INSTALLATION 

Will the electricity be turned off while the new meter is installed? For how long?

Residential customers: Yes, the power will be turned off for about one minute. You may need to reset clocks on some appliances. MID apologizes for this inconvenience.
Commercial customers: Maybe. In some cases, MID will need to turn the power off to protect worker safety. If an outage is needed at your business, it will last 15 – 30 minutes, and MID will make every effort to contact you in advance.

METER INSTALLATION, APPOINTMENTS, ACCESS TO ELECTRIC METERS

Do I need to be present when my new electric meter is installed?

Residential customers: No, as long as the technician can access your electric meter.
Commercial customers: No, in most cases. If you are needed, MID will contact you to schedule your meter installation.

What if the technician comes when I’m not there and cannot reach my meter?

Residential customers: A note will be left on your door, explaining what you should do.
Commercial customers: If you are needed, MID will contact you to schedule.

Do I need to make an appointment to have my  new meter installed?

Residential customers: No, generally appointments are not necessary. If needed, a note will be left on your door, explaining how to make an appointment.
Commercial customers: If an appointment is needed, MID will contact you to schedule when your business is due to have the meter(s) upgraded.

Since MID will read my meter remotely from now on, will it be OK to keep my gates locked all the time?

MID will occasionally need to access your electric meter for repairs and testing. Please make sure MID meter technicians still have access to your electric meter in the future. We appreciate your cooperation.

My gates are always locked, so I gave MID a key so that MID’s authorized personnel can access my electric meter. Can I keep that arrangement in place?

Yes, MID will be happy to continue that arrangement.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ABOUT MID METERREADERS

What will happen to MID’s meter readers?

MID values all our employees and we are sensitive to the impact of job losses on the community during the current economic recession. MID has given our meter readers ample advance notice and an extended time period to apply for job openings and apprenticeship programs within our organization. In cases where an employee must wait for an appropriate job to open up, MID is providing meaningful work, when available, during the transition. Our Human Resources Dept. advises about appropriate training upon request and offers job-related tuition reimbursement. We are happy to see many of our affected employees take advantage of these and other professional development opportunities.