A. The smart grid is a combination of digital computing power, sensors and communications to better manage power flows, improve reliability and increase the efficiency of grid equipment and manpower.

A. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is essential to the smart grid. It comprises these key elements: advanced meters, intelligent sensors, communication networks, and data management. AMI is the network that enables automated, two-way communication between energy utilities and consumers. It has the power to transform how energy utilities and consumers manage electricity generation, delivery and usage.

A. An advanced meter, also known as a smart meter, is an energy measurement device that provides customers and the utility with timely information on individual customer energy usage. It determines how much energy is used, when it is used, the number and duration of power interruptions, voltage levels and other information for efficient and reliable energy delivery. Part of a communication network between utilities and customers, advanced meters enable automated meter readings, outage detection, real-time pricing, and power-quality monitoring.

A. Advanced meters help energy utilities continue to provide affordable energy and reliable service. With access to nearly real-time energy usage information, you can take control of your energy consumption – and help save on your monthly bills. Since advanced meters work on the smart grid, power outage detection and notification is faster. Advanced meters provide these additional benefits:

• automatic meter readings
• more accurate and timely billing
• better power quality and reliability
• automatic outage notification
• faster power restoration
• lower operating costs

A. Advanced meter technology has been thoroughly tested for accuracy and reliability by manufacturers, energy utilities and U.S. and Canada standards organizations. In fact, ongoing tests have shown that advanced meters are often more accurate than analog meters. Our advanced meters are built to the .2 percent accuracy class, which is the highest accuracy standard for electrical meters.

A. No. Electric meters are owned, installed and maintained by the energy utility. The meter base and service entrance cables are the customer’s responsibility. If needed, a qualified electrician should make repairs to the meter base and service entrance cables to ensure your system provides safe and reliable service.

A. When data is collected from a meter and transmitted wirelessly to the energy utility, it contains unique identifiers associated with the customer’s meter number and service address. These fields are validated numerous times to ensure accuracy. This process is similar to mobile phone technology where each phone has a unique number used to identify a cell tower and connect your call to the correct location. We abide by stringent policies to protect the privacy and security of our customers’ personal information. We do not sell customer data to any third party. The data from advanced meters is strictly confidential and only used for electrical distribution, monitoring and billing purposes.

A. Yes. Utilities are subject to standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) designed to ensure security of utility networks. The energy utility industry has extensive experience in maintaining cyber security on information systems essential to operate the smart grid, including advanced meters. Protection begins at the meter itself. To prevent data breaches, information is encoded any time your data is transmitted. We take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the services we provide use validated and proven security measures.

A. Advanced meters and communication networks are certified to federal standards for safe and secure operation. As electrical devices with communication capabilities, advanced meters do emit energy. However, these emissions are well below the limits set by the Federal Communications Commission for safe operations. In fact, they have much lower emissions than many common household devices (ex. microwave ovens, cordless phones and internet routers).

A. Advanced meters must meet National Electric Safety Code requirements and standards. They are also required to have independent certifications verifying their safety and heat resistance. Advanced meters are certified by Underwriter Laboratories, the leading product safety testing and certification organization, to failsafe in the event of an electrical shortage. In addition, the base plate of the meter is designed to withstand extreme temperatures (up to the melting point of copper).

A. In its next stage of development, the smart grid will allow customers to manage their homes and businesses in ways that save energy and money. By integrating smart devices into residences, consumers will have the opportunity to respond to changes in energy prices and better control their energy bill.

A. AMI Opt-Out Policies for Residential BLP Customers can be found in the Electrical Services, Rules, Standards & Rates Book, in Section 14.08, Page 46

The BLP installed systemwide advanced metering infrastructure capable of remote reading of meters. Should the customer elect to have the BLP shut off the radio transmitter component of this meter, there is a one-time fee of $70 and a $10 monthly charge for manual meter reads.

ONE TIME FEE - $70

MONTHLY FEE - $10