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FortisBC to begin advanced meter exchanges in Trail

Jul 3, 2014

New electricity meters allow more billing options and customer tools

KELOWNA, B.C. – FortisBC’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project will begin this fall in the Trail-Salmo area, and is expected to be complete in all regions by the end of 2015.

“Advanced meters open the door for new and exciting options for our electricity customers,” said Tom Loski, FortisBC vice-president, customer service. “For the first time, our electricity customers will have the ability to move to monthly billing and select their own billing date. Advanced meters also help us better pinpoint power outages, meaning a more efficient response.”

Online tools that allow customers to see their energy use will be available in the coming months.

Below is the scheduled timeline for meter exchanges:

  • Trail-Salmo area – September 2014 to December 2014
  • Kelowna – January 2015 to April 2015
  • South Okanagan – May 2015 to July 2015
  • Similkameen and Boundary – August 2015 to October 2015
  • Kootenays – November 2015 to December 2015

FortisBC will notify customers by mail before their meter is exchanged. Customers do not have to be home for the exchange to take place. However, the exchange will require a brief power outage lasting only a few minutes. FortisBC asks that customers leave safe access to their meter, including keeping dogs and other pets away. Once an advanced meter has been installed, customers will receive an information package.

FortisBC will be using advanced meters supplied by Itron, and Corix has been selected to conduct the meter exchanges. These contractors will be easily identifiable and will carry FortisBC identification.

Advanced meters provide many benefits for customers, and a radio-off option is available for those who have concerns. This option does require a customer to sign-up and agree to the cost-recovering fees approved by the BC Utilities Commission. Customers who choose the radio-off option will receive an advanced meter with the wireless signal turned off, meaning their meter will be read manually.

For more information about the AMI project, or the radio-off option, customers can visit fortisbc.com or call 1-866-436-7847.

 

 

Media contact

Neal Pobran
Manager, Corporate Communications
FortisBC
Phone: 250-718-8986
Email: [email protected]
fortisbc.com
twitter.com/fortisBC
youtube.com/fortisBC

FortisBC is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, electricity and propane. FortisBC employs more than 2,200 British Columbians and serves approximately 1.1 million customers in 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC is indirectly wholly owned by Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. FortisBC owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,150 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines, and approximately 46,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Inc., FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. do business as FortisBC. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.