Pacific Power moving Oregon customers to ‘smart meters’

Pacific Power recently announced it plans to replace 590,000 electric meters at Oregon homes and businesses in 2018 and 2019 with new smart meters.

The multi-state utility said the new meters will provide customers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their electrical energy usage and enable smart er, more efficient management of the power grid.

“Installing smart meters is a key step towards the power grid of the future here in Oregon,” said Stefan Bird, Pacific Power CEO. “What’s great about this investment is the savings generated exceed the costs over the life of the meters , while providing immediate benefits to our customers.

“Over 64 million smart meters have been installed nationwide, and we believe now is the right time to take advantage of improvements in cost and technology.”

Access to daily energy usage information will be available to customers via a secure website. This near real-time energy usage information will let customers better understand what is driving their electric bills and help them make improved decisions which will ultimately save energy and money.

Pacific Power said the new meters also will help hold down operating costs and improve customer service and reliability while maintaining the highest standards of security and customer privacy. Smart meters will:

* Provide customers with detailed usage information to help them save energy and money.
* Improve reliability by identifying network issues, accelerating outage detection and restoration.
* Accelerate service connection and disconnection.
* Reduce manual meter reading costs and minimize the need to access customer property.
* Reduce vehicle costs and emissions.
* Improve safety.

The company will complete software system upgrades necessary to handle the new meters ahead of actual meter installations. Meter installations are scheduled to begin in early 2018 and continue through the fall of 2019.

“This strategic investment furthers Pacific Power ‘s efforts to deliver significant benefits to our customers while keeping prices low,” said Bird.

“Similar to our investment in the western energy imbalance market that, in its first year, saved more than it cost to implement and positions our customers to realize even more savings as other utilities join and renewable energy expands, these smart meters pay for themselves and position our customers to take greater control of their energy future.”

For more information about the program as it develops, customers can call 1-888-221-7070 or visit https://www.pacificpower.net/smartmeter.

Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiC orp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing 1.8 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. For more information, visit pacific power .net.