Lewis County Rural Electric Coop

Information may not be reliable

Lewis County REC is implementing an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system or the newest term is Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system using a meter module to collect data to read your meter remotely and monitor information from your meter to the Cooperative office. You will no longer have to read your own meter when your meter is changed over. This system will require that Lewis County REC change-out every member’s electric meter.
The new electric meters will operate electronically and the old meters operated mechanically. The new meters will continue to display the meter reading, but it will be in a digital LED form. The biggest difference is that the new meters will have an electronic circuit board module installed. The module receives and stores the kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption recorded by the electronics in the meter, and is able to transmit this and other data over the power lines to equipment located in its substation. From the substation, the data is downloaded back to a computer, which will be located in Lewistown at the headquarters office.
The installations began on September 1, 2009. The first exchange will be for those members served by the Lewistown and Kahoka substation. A door-hanger will be left on your door informing you that we have switched out your old meter. You will receive a bill from us around the 3rd of each month. If payment is not postmarked by the 15th of the month, you need to add on a penalty of $7.50. If payment is not in our office by 7:30 a.m. on the 25th of the month, service will be subject to disconnect. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to contact us.
The majority of the meter exchanges will be performed by HD Electrical Supply, an experienced AMI implementation contractor. However, some meter exchanges will be done by Lewis County REC personnel. HD Electrical personnel will be equipped with identification.
All meters will be read every day to obtain a history of account information. For billing purposes, the member’s monthly billing cycle will remain the same. The new meter records an electronic kWh reading, the number of times the meter has experienced a loss of power for any reason, or if the meter has rotated backwards. It also has the capability to record the date and time of the energy usage, when the lights blinked and how long the power was off.
Members will still need to call 1-888-454-4485 to report a power outage or if you have an electrical emergency.
Summary of the AMI benefits:

Fully automated, daily meter readings on all system meters
Reduced meter reading costs
Reduced intrusions on members
Eliminates estimated billing due to unavailable meter readings
On-request reads, save re-read costs

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What you need to know about Energy Efficiency Credits. Receive up to a $1,500 tax credit for energy efficiency improvements in 2009 and 2010.