Advanced Meter Infrastructure Upgrade

No, this new meter isn’t “smarter” than the meters we’ve used for the last two decades in that it does not tell us when you open your refrigerator or when you turn your lights off and on, etc.  Itasca-Mantrap has utilized an Automated Meter Reading system (AMR) to facilitate daily remote meter reads on our meters since 2000. 

Like your current meter, Itasca-Mantrap can read the meter remotely from our office.  The collected data includes usage readings, voltage levels, and outage/blink information. This data will not be shared with any third parties. 

One difference is that the old AMR meters utilize power-line carrier technology (use of power lines to transmit data). With the old AMR meters, if a power line went down during an outage, communication with the meter was lost.  The new AMI meters utilize a licensed, secure radio frequency system to transmit meter data during outages.  Another big difference is the capabilities of obtaining readings at 15 minutes increments, versus our previous system that only submitted daily readings.    

• Improved Efficiency: Members don’t have to wait for a crew to drive to the location to reconnect, Itasca-Mantrap will be able to reconnect power remotely.
• Improved Member Service:  The AMI system will allow Itasca-Mantrap to offer more timely information regarding their energy consumption, allowing members to make wise decisions about how they use energy.
• Improved Reliability: Having two-way communication with the AMI meters will enhance Itasca-Mantrap’s outage management system by narrowing the location of outages more quickly.
• Improved Power Quality: The AMI system will report variances in voltage and other line conditions that will help Itasca-Mantrap maintain a more reliable power distribution system.

Itasca-Mantrap employees will be changing out the meters. 

The project will occur over approximately two years as we migrate to the new system. 

Yes, however the impact of the installation will be minimal. Co-op members can expect to lose power for a just a few minutes on the day of installation. You may need to reset electronic clocks and other devices.

You will see two meter readings on your bill: one from the old meter and one from the new meter.  The meter installer will leave a door tag to let you know they changed the meter. 

The total project will cost roughly $3 million to add infrastructure and update more than 16,000 meters on our system. Itasca-Mantrap leadership staff and the Board of Directors has been planning this project for years and has worked hard to budget for this project.  

No. The AMI meter is owned by Itasca-Mantrap. 

The new meter records an electronic kWh reading, the date and time of energy usage, the overall peak demand of the electric account and the number of times the meter has experienced a loss of power for any reason. The meter will record the date and time of light blinks and the length of the power outage.  The voltage monitoring ability will also aid our dispatchers in analyzing line conditions. 

The meter display is visible for members to be able to check their consumption, just like their old 
meters.  All other information and data stored in the meter is secure and the meter is sealed.  Data stored inside the meter is usage and location data only. No personal information (i.e. Member information) is stored inside of the meter. 

No, the AMI system utilizes a licensed data encrypted 900MHZ system to transmit meter data from the meter to Itasca-Mantrap, so it is secure from unauthorized access. Our goal is to upgrade the electric distribution system to make is safer, more secure and more reliable. 

Yes, meters will have both remote disconnect and remote reconnect capabilities. During power outages, damage repair will still require lineworkers to come on site to repair damage.  

Yes, in most cases. The new AMI meters are capable of initiating two-way communications. This means that the meter can report outages and voltage variances, as well as other line conditions, without being prompted from our office. However, we still encourage members to contact us to confirm they are experiencing a power outage.  

• Any radio wave energy from the meter is very limited and has not been found to create health problems.
• You would need to stand in front of your meter for 50 years to obtain the same amount of frequency you receive with 1 cellphone call.
• The system is a 900 MHz equal to a baby monitor, garage door opener buttons, and a cordless telephone.
• An in-home router runs at a higher frequency than our meters.
• The meter will not cause interference.  Does not cause radio static.
• The 900 MHz band is governed by FCC part 15 (47 CFR 15)
• The FCC limits the 900 MHz device to operate at 1 watt and 24dbm.

In the event installation is firmly declined, the member will be charged an RF Meter Opt-Out fee equal to 70% of the monthly basic charge for each service location currently in place. In addition, members would be required to submit monthly meter readings. If a reading is not submitted, a fee equal to the current collection fee will be charged to have an Itasca-Mantrap team member drive to the site to read the meter. 
Members that choose the opt out option will not have access to: 

• Automated Outage Reporting – Itasca-Mantrap will not have the ability to remotely verify an outage without an RF meter. If the cause of the outage reported is found to be on the member side of the meter, the member will be charged the standard service call fee set in place (includes labor and mileage). If it is on the Itasca-Mantrap side of the meter, the member will not be charged.
• Load Management program – Due to the requirement for communication through a radio frequency for administering load control programs, members that opt out will not be able to utilize Itasca-Mantrap’s off-peak, dual fuel or other load management programs.