Progress Energy to replace 23,000 meters

NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA - Starting on May 8, Craven County Progress Energy customers will start receiving new digital meters. "It takes a couple of minutes to do," said Mike Hughes, Progress Energy spokesperson.

Customers will receive notices in their utility bills, as well as a separate letter in the mail, notifying them about two or three days before their old meter is to be replaced, Hughes said. However, no specific date or time will be listed. Customers can call (800) 452-2777 for more information or to arrange a specific time and date for the installation. Setting a specific time is especially important for people who use electric medical devices, Hughes said.

Customers will have to reset clocks and other electronic items after the new meter is installed because the electricity will have to be shut off briefly to install the new 23,000 meters in Craven County, he said. A notice will be left on the doorknobs of homes after the new meter is installed, Hughes said.

The program started last year in other parts of the country, with 1.2 million meters to be replaced in the Carolinas and Florida at a cost of $140 million by early 2007. But, roughly $21 million a year in reduced labor costs per year is expected as a result, Hughes said. The new meters, which are the same size as the old meters, will have digital displays instead of dials and will be read using secure radio-frequency transmissions, allowing meter readers to drive by a home and get the reading instead of walking onto the property.

"It's less intrusive," said Heidi Deja, corporate communications representative. Over the years, locked gates and dogs in yards have created some roadblocks to meter readers. Currently, one meter reader can read roughly 400 meters a day, Deja said. With the new meters, they will be able to read closer to 10,000 per day, she said.

"These meters are highly accurate," said Dan Oliver, community relations manager in the eastern region, reducing human error in reading meters. The new meters will not increase customer costs, Hughes said. The reduction in labor costs of already-installed meters has already offset significant increases in other operating costs, such as fuel, Deja said.