Installation of New Residential Meters Completed

     Pearl River Valley EPA is continually looking for ways to improve service to members. As part of this commitment, we have been installing state-of-the-art automated meters at homes and businesses throughout our service area since November 2007. The final residential meters were installed last month.

      The meters are part of a new meter data management system used to collect, measure and analyze energy use. Readings from each meter are transmitted over the Pearl River Valley’s power lines—they do not use radio or cell technology. Usage data is transmitted every couple of seconds and recorded hourly. The information is then transferred to our billing system and can also be used to better understand a member’s energy use.

     The new meters provide many benefits, including;

• Accurate meter reading: Meters are read electronically, avoiding human error and the need to estimate bills.
• Energy management opportunities for members: Daily and hourly usage information can be helpful in pinpointing problems associated with electric use in your home, as well as helping to determine areas where savings can be realized.
• Outage restoration: When power is interrupted, the system can be used to determine which meters are not receiving power, thus making restoration quicker and more efficient.
• Enhanced reliability and system planning: We will be better able to monitor blinks and other power quality issues, as well as understand how to meet demand as it grows throughout the system.
• Reduced need for access to your property: No longer will employees have to physically read meters on a monthly basis.
• Reduced vehicle costs: The process of sending employees to read more than 47,000 meters each month means savings on gasoline and vehicle maintenance.
• Advanced security: Meter reports generated daily give insight into meter tampering issues. Catching and eliminating theft of power benefits everyone involved with our member-owned system.

     “Implementing this program has been the result of extensive planning and effort involving many of our employees,” noted Randy Wallace, general manager. “This kind of project is what we’re all about as an electric cooperative—improving service to our members and reducing costs. We’re very pleased with the results so far in terms of operations, billing and member services.”

     Members can access information about their electric usage and manage their accounts by logging on to www.PRVEPA.com. Once there, go to “Pay My Bill” or “Manage My Account” and follow the steps at the member portal.

     The website also has a wide variety of information and interactive links related to wise energy use. If you have any questions, call Scott Arinder, member services representative, at 601-731-7809.