YOUR NEW WATER & ELECTRIC METERS and the AMI SYSTEM
THE BASICS
The City of Port Angeles will be installing new water and electric meters for all customers in 2011 and 2012. These new meters work with a system called Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI. AMI stands for Advanced Metering Infrastructure. It's a wireless and fiber optic- based system, similar to wireless Internet and cable TV technologies, for metering both water and electricity.
DID YOU KNOW..........
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) increased rates for electricity throughout the Pacific Northwest in October 2011
Port Angeles customers will see new rates beginning in early 2013
New rates will be tied to the time of day, day of the week, and time of year
New rates will be most expensive when electricity is used by the most customers (called peak demand periods)
Starting in late-2012, customers will have more information on their bills because of the AMI system
Bills will show how much electricity you use when rates are highest so you can control your costs, if you want to, by shifting use to lower-cost time periods
The City is installing this new infrastructure because the old meters are wearing out - and many of them are no longer accurate. As a result, it is not possible for the City to fully comply with state and federal mandates, such as water metering accuracy. It's also a fairness issue: with inaccurate metering, some customers may not be paying for all of the power and water they use. The new system is financially sound, future friendly, and fair.
And......this is the perfect time to make this change, because the rates Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) charges for power are going up, and the meters we have now are wearing out. Customers will have more control over their bills, and the City will be able to improve service and operate your utilities at their lowest possible cost.
The AMI system will enhance the City's ability to run your electric and water utilities efficiently and at the lowest cost possible. There will be lower meter reading costs, and the City will have more information to help with managing electricity use during periods when there's more demand, and responding to customer inquiries. The AMI system will also help the City's ability to comply with federal and state mandates.
Electricity is becoming more expensive. In October 2011, BPA increased the electricity rates they charge the City. AMI will provide all customers ways to control their bills by using power when it's least expensive, so you can minimize the impact of BPA's upcoming rates. And because the system automatically reads both electric and water meters, the City will be able to operate your utilities at their lowest possible cost.
What to Know More? Detailed Overview and FAQ Sheet
Download the Detailed Overview or the Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet below.
This information will be updated as the project progresses.
New Meters - Detailed Overview New Meters - FAQs New Meters - Facts and Scientific Studies Peak Demand / Rate Structure - Overview
Radio Frequency Emissions -
the RF exposure from a City smart meter is comparable to a cordless home phone or a cellular phone that is used less than 2 seconds per day. For more information about the RF field exposure, please read the info below.
Radio Frequency Emmisions Detail Sheet
Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to view this file.
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CURIOUS ABOUT RADIO FREQUENCY or RF ENERGY? Electric utilities are working to install advanced metering technology known as “smart meters” that use radio signals to communicate electricity demand through mobile telecommunications. The signals that are used – radio frequency or RF energy – are the same type as those used for radio and TV broadcasting for many years. Microwave ovens, radar and wi-fi devices also emit RF energy, but today mobile telephones are the most common source of exposure to RF energy.
In January 2012, the Vermont Department of Health made actual measurements at active smart meters installed by Green Mountain Power in Colchester. The readings from these devices verify that they emit no more than a small fraction of the RF energy emitted from a wireless phone, even at very close proximity to the meter, and are well below regulatory limits set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
After extensive review of the scientific literature available to date and current FCC regulatory health protection standards, the Vermont Department of Health has concluded that the current regulatory standards for RF energy from smart meters are sufficient to protect public health.
In December 2011 Health Canada published a special notice about smart meters. The agency concluded: “exposure to RF energy from smart meters does not pose a public health risk.” This notice also stated that no precautionary measures are needed to reduce RF energy exposure from smart meters, even where several are installed together. Based on this information, Health Canada has concluded that exposure to RF energy from smart meters does not pose a public health risk.
INSTALLATION PROCESS Water and electric meters will be installed neighborhood by neighborhood. The new "smart meters" will start being installed in May of 2011. All of the new meters are scheduled to be installed during 2012..
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CURRENT INSTALLATION SCHEDULE
June 13, 2011 - Mueller Systems is in the community and installing electric and water meters at our customers homes and businesses. All Mueller Systems employees have City issued identification, Mueller Systems logos on the their shirts, and logos on their vehicles.
The initial phase of the project is on the west side of town surrounding the "I" street substation. About 1,000 customers are included in the initial phase. All initial customers have received a letter from the City advising them of the installation. Customers also receive a door hanger up to 3 days prior to installation.
Mueller Systems local call center is 360-565-7250 should anyone have an installation problem.
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You will receive written notice via a door hanger that your water or electric meter will be installed within three days. A separate notice will be provided for each of your new meters. You do not need to be home when either meter is installed.
In most cases, power or water is shut off for only five to ten minutes while a new meter is installed. All electric clocks and other timed devices will need to be reset after electric meter installation; all appliances with battery back-ups should function normally. When you first use your water after the change-over, you might experience a "burp" of air and some residue at each outlet. If that happens, just run your water briefly until it flows normally.
Another door hanger will be left when the installation is complete or if we need your permission to proceed with repairs.
And....the bases or areas that contain the water and electric meters are usually the responsibility of the customer to maintain and pay for repairs if needed. However, with the installation of these new meters, if a safety repair is needed at an owner-occupied home or at a non-profit organization, after receiving your permission, the City will provide up to $750 worth of safety repairs to your electric meter base and provide up to $750 worth of plumbing repairs for water meters. Any costs over $750 are the customer's responsibility. For commercial and rental property customers, the cost of all safety issues and plumbing repairs related to the new meters installation are the full responsibility of the customer. The City will work with you to schedule and complete any needed repairs. These safety repairs are being completed and financed by the City to benefit the City's commitment to keeping the program on schedule and on budget. The repairs are limited to those necessary to install the new meters. Other restrictions may apply - contact the City for complete information.
If you have life-sustaining medical equipment or a fire sprinkler system - please read the FAQ sheet above for more information. Then please call us at 360-417-4595 or email newmeters@cityofpa.us for assistance.
If you have questions about the installation process, contact the City at either newmeters@cityofpaus or phone 360-417-4595. More information will be posted once the installation schedule is set.
WHAT WILL CHANGE & WHAT STAYS THE SAME You will still receive a bill from the City for your water and electricity usage and you can pay the same way you always have. However, you won't have meter readers coming into your yard, and if there is a power outage or leak in the water system, we will know about it immediately and can take quick steps to fix it.
The rates you pay and the information you get on your bill won't change until 2012-after the system is completely installed. It will still be easy to see the amount that's due and you can pay the same way you always have.
You will also have more information about your rates and usage, so you can choose to shut off or turn down appliances during the time that electricity costs the most, or discover water leaks around your home more quickly.
BENEFITS The AMI system will enhance the City's ability to run your electric and water utilities efficiently and at the lowest cost possible. There will be lower meter reading costs, and the City will have more information to help with managing electricity use during periods when there's more demand, and responding to customer inquiries. The AMI system will also help the City's ability to comply with federal and state mandates.
Customers will be able to manage and possibly decrease their utility bills by using power when it's cheapest. Because the new meters are highly accurate, customers can be sure that they are being charged fairly for both their water and electricity.
Residents will also have access to more information about the electric rates they pay (electricity is more expensive during "peak demand periods" when many people and businesses are using a lot of electricity at the same time).
State-of-the-art meters bring more conservation opportunities such as smart appliances and smart grid technologies as they become more commonplace.
For example, a voluntary pilot program is planned to give residents the tools to automatically adjust water heaters and thermostats during periods when electricity is most expensive. These smart thermostats and water heaters will give customers more tools for controlling their electricity usage and costs.
TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
Want to know more? Have questions? Hear directly from City of Port Angeles staff and join the conversation about what the community can expect from your new AMI system-as well as what it is and how it works.
TOWN MEETINGS Last meeting was October 20, 2011 - please check back for updates.
CITY SELECTS VENDOR FOR NEW ELECTRIC AND WATER METERS The Port Angeles City Council has approved a $4.38 million contract with Mueller Systems for the installation of new electric and water meters for utility customers as part of the $4.9 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System project.
Over 60% of the City's current meters are more than 20 years old with some meters being in service since 1959. Older meters are less accurate and may under-measure what customers use. The sensible next step is to install an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System with meters that are accurate, fair, and help Port Angeles and its residents conserve water and energy.
AMI System will provide the future-ready infrastructure to satisfy upcoming needs for tiered rates and demand response and provide customers with new tools to manage their utility costs as the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) implements significant rate increases. In addition theft, bad debt, and manual readings will be significantly reduced or eliminated.
The AMI System will comply with the recent National Energy Policy Act and the State of Washington Water Efficiency Rule unfunded mandates to offer electric time-of-use metering and to reduce water distribution system losses.
A total of fifteen vendors participated in the process with three submitting proposals. After evaluations, interviews, demonstrations, and reference checks, Mueller Systems was selected as the vendor that will provide the best value to the City in terms of cost and support. Mueller Systems is part of Mueller Water Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of infrastructure and flow control products and services for more than 150 years.
Installation of the new meters is anticipated to start in the Spring of 2011.
And......this is the perfect time to make this change, because the rates Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) charges for power are going up, and the meters we have now are wearing out. Customers will have more control over their bills, and the City will be able to improve service and operate your utilities at their lowest possible cost. 
Water and electric meters will be installed neighborhood by neighborhood. The new "smart meters" will start being installed in May of 2011. All of the new meters are scheduled to be installed during 2012.. 
The AMI system will enhance the City's ability to run your electric and water utilities efficiently and at the lowest cost possible. There will be lower meter reading costs, and the City will have more information to help with managing electricity use during periods when there's more demand, and responding to customer inquiries. The AMI system will also help the City's ability to comply with federal and state mandates. 
Over 60% of the City's current meters are more than 20 years old with some meters being in service since 1959. Older meters are less accurate and may under-measure what customers use. The sensible next step is to install an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System with meters that are accurate, fair, and help Port Angeles and its residents conserve water and energy. 