By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
A year ago, Duke Energy launched its smart meter deployment program, bringing the new digital technology to customers in Northern Kentucky.
Many Newport residents have probably noticed the recent installation of smart meters, and the topic was addressed at Monday night’s city commission meeting.
Robert Ries, the manager of Duke Energy’s Midwest Advanced Metering Infrastructure, gave a presentation to the board of commissioners. Ries said the installation of smart meters in Newport is ahead of schedule, with nearly half of the work complete in the city.
Robert Ries, the manager of Duke Energy’s Midwest Advanced Metering Infrastructure, gives a presentation to the Newport board of commissioners on Monday night. Ries said the installation of smart meters in Newport is ahead of schedule, with almost half of the work complete. (Photo by Don Owen)
Ries noted that the new smart meters are part of Duke Energy’s commitment to building a smarter energy future. The investment in the digital technology will improve reliability and help the company meet the changing needs and expectations of customers.
The new meters offer a number of enhanced services that will provide customers with more control over their energy use as well as offer tailored bill payment options.
Ries said customers in Newport have been notified via bill inserts, post cards, door hangers, phone calls and letters to let them know when we will be in their neighborhood for installations. He informed the board of commissioners that Duke Energy is using a contractor, Grid One Solutions of Florence, for the AMI deployments.
Mayor Jerry Peluso asked if the new technology would affect customers with budget billing, and Ries assured the board it would not impact those using that monthly service.
Peluso also inquired about estimated payments, and Ries pointed out that smart meters are read automatically — not manually – and there should be no need to estimate bills.
Customers can choose to opt out of having a smart meter installed, but an additional monthly fee will be charged to cover the costs of manually reading the older meter each month. “As of now, only one customer in Newport has chosen to opt out of the smart meter installation,” Ries said.
In other developments Monday night:
• The proposed use of Municipal Road Aid Program funds for the 2018-19 fiscal year was an agenda item. The use of these funds is for road improvements such as resurfacing, rehabilitation, or reconstruction and signalization for city streets.
Funds will be used for reconstruction and maintenance of roads including expenses such as filling potholes as well as snow removal and treatment, street cleaning, line painting, and repair or replacement of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, lighting and signage when done in conjunction with a street reconstruction project.
The city’s budget and proposed uses of Municipal Road Aid program funds are available for public inspection at City Hall during normal business hours.
The board of commissioners will convene again in a regular meeting on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
