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Lincoln County Power Moves to AMI

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Lincoln County Power Moves to AMI

 

The amount of electric energy used by your home or business is determined each month by an electric meter.  These devices have been around nearly as long as electricity itself.    The first generation of electric meters in the late 1800’s involved mercury.  Fortunately, those meters were phased out quickly and replaced with the electromechanical meter using an induction disk whose rotational speed was proportional to the current flow in the circuit.  You may remember these type of meters as they usually had five small clock dials on the face.  The electromechanical meter was the work horse of the industry for over 100 years.  Those meters were engineering marvels as evidenced by their long history, but beginning in the 1980s they began to be replaced by a solid state digital meter.  By the end of 2010, the last two major electric meter manufacturers stopped production of the electromechanical meter.  What drove the change to solid state metering was the need for more advanced functionality that could not be obtained from an electromechanical meter, like determining what time of day energy was being used the most.

Once the digital meter began to become the norm in the industry, utilities soon realized that if they could communicate remotely with the digital meter they could provide additional services to their customers and reduce their operating costs.  This desire moved the utility industry to where it stands today with the advent of what is called automated metering infrastructure or AMI.  AMI is a system where digital meters measure and then automatically communicate the energy use of a customer on a programmed interval to the utility.  That interval is typically every 15 minutes, but could be as little as every five minutes or as long as every 24 hours.   AMI systems have been approved by regulatory agencies in all 50 states.  According to the U.S. Energy Information System, as of the end of 2017 nearly 50% of all electricity customers in the United States were metered through an AMI system.  In Nevada, 96% of the electricity customers are metered through an AMI system.

https://www.utilitydive.com/user_media/diveimage/ami2_qEobLWF.png

Source:  Institute of Electric Innovation

There are numerous advantages from an AMI system.  The most obvious is the ability to not have to send out meter readers to read meters every month.  In the case of Lincoln County Power, labor is our second highest cost, behind only the cost of the power we purchase for use in Lincoln County.  Anything Lincoln County Power can do to reduce labor costs has a direct benefit to our rate payers.  In addition, an AMI system can provide numerous other benefits for Lincoln County Power’s customers. For example, an AMI system will support time of use billing that will better support residential solar installations or the installation of home electric vehicle chargers, will eliminate the need to send a linemen to a person’s home each time a connection or disconnection was requested, will allow voltages to be monitored to ensure power quality meets all required standards, will notify Lincoln County Power any time a customer was without power allowing us to respond faster and manage power outages within our system more efficiently, will allow Lincoln County Power to offer pre-paid billing plans for those customers who would like such plans, and will allow a customer to monitor their own energy use on a near real-time basis through their smart phone or tablet.

The deployment of AMI systems has not been without some controversy.  The two main controversies were that the digital meters are not as accurate as the old electromechanical meters and that the radio frequency used by the new digital meters to communicate with the utility may have health effects.   The internet is filled with various opinions and claims on these topics.  But the facts simply don’t support the claims and as a result the controversy over AMI has largely died out.  In regard to accuracy, digital meters are designed and tested to a higher accuracy than the old electromechanical meters.   The American National Standards Institute sets the standard for many items including electric meters.    The ANSI standards for the old electromechanical meters allowed for a maximum error limit of 2%, while the newer digital meters have a maximum error limit of 1%.

Landis & Gyr Smart Meter, similar to those to be installed by Lincoln County Power.

 

The concern over health effects from AMI systems has probably received the greatest attention.  The concern relates to the fact that most digital meters use a low frequency radio system to communicate with the utility.  Other communication technologies are sometimes used, but the predominate method is a low frequency radio.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which is an arm of the World Health Organization has listed radio frequency (RF), as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”   Although this sounds bad, the IARC defines the items listed this category as those where “the evidence of carcinogenicity in humans does not permit a conclusion to be drawn.”  In other words, the IARC doesn’t know.   The American Cancer Society has also weighed in on this topic and has concluded “…it would be nearly impossible to conduct a study to prove or disprove a link between living in a house with smart meters and cancer because people have so many sources of exposure to RF and the level of exposure from this source is so small. Because, the amount of RF radiation you could be exposed to from a smart meter is much less than what you could be exposed to from a cell phone, it is very unlikely that living in a house with a smart meter increases risk of cancer.”  Similar conclusions have been drawn by the Federal Communication Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.   The reason being, a digital meter communicating with a low frequency radio operates at a frequency of 928 MHz or less while a cell phone on a 5G network operates at a frequency of 14,000 MHz or more.   A person’s exposure to radio frequencies is dramatically higher from a cell phone.

Image result for smart meter graphic

Comparison of Radio Frequency Output.   Source:  DTE Energy

 

After carefully considering the alleged concerns over an AMI system, the potential benefits, and the cost savings and other benefits, Lincoln County Power determined in 2019 to begin to implement an AMI system in Lincoln County.  Full deployment of the AMI system will take three years.  The AMI system being deployed by Lincoln County Power is being provided by Landis & Gyr who has provided similar systems for over 3,500 utilities including Wells Rural Electric in northern Nevada.  Meters are tested to UL standards for safety and security.   Lincoln County Power’s AMI system will be an important component of Lincoln County Power’s strategy to minimize operating costs and to develop programs and services to meet the needs of its customers.  If you would like additional information on Lincoln County Power’s plans to implement an AMI system, contact Lincoln County Power during normal working hours.

 

 

 

 

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Legal

Non-Discrimination Statement

Lincoln County Power is an equal opportunity electric service provider and employer.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law, Lincoln County Power and its officers and employees do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, or marital status in any program or activity conducted.

Privacy has always been an important part of how we do business. We would like to make our policy concerning information collection and use absolutely clear. This notice explains our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way information is collected and used.

The Information We Collect

At Lincoln County Power, we do not collect personally identifiable information about you through our website unless you voluntarily provide it. At any time, you may opt out of providing such personally identifiable information by simply not providing it or by discontinuing your use of the Lincoln County Power website. Examples of personally identifiable information which you may provide to us while using our site include:

  • Email addresses
  • Address
  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Account number (if you are a current member)
  • Social Security number
  • Information about your computer and browser

If you want to customize some areas within our site or you ask detailed questions or request information that meets your specific needs, you will need to supply some personally identifiable information. This may include identifying topics of interest, supplying your title and function for business users, providing a home/office address or filling out account information for billing questions. To improve our website, we collect information on the number of visits to our website, the time visitors spend on the web site, the number of pages viewed and the domains from which visitors visit our web site. This information is only analyzed by us in the aggregate; it is not associated with any specific individuals. Parts of our website use cookies. A cookie is a piece of data stored on your hard drive or your computer’s memory containing information about your visit and preferences. You may receive a cookie that compiles site usage information (number of visitors, most popular pages, etc.) and enhances your experience on our web site. Many popular browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies.

How We Use the Information We Collect

We use the information you voluntarily provide to:

  • Fulfill your request
  • Help you quickly find and/or receive information about Lincoln County Power
  • Alert you to updated information and services
  • Provide more complete service
  • Improve the content of our website for your reference
  • Answer your questions

In some cases, we may contact you to let you know about new products or services. If you do not wish to be contacted by us for this purpose, you may provide this request by sending us an e-mail at Contact Us.

Information Sharing

Lincoln County Power does not sell the personally identifiable information you provide for financial gain nor does Lincoln County Power share such information with third parties for the purpose of sending you advertisements for products or services. Lincoln County Power may, however, share personally identifiable information that you provide to us for legitimate business purposes, including without limitation the following:

  1. Transferring such information as part of a merger, consolidation, acquisition, divesture or other restructuring;
  2. Making such information available to third parties who are providing the product, service or information that you have requested, but your password will not be provided to third parties;
  3. Making such information available to third parties who are providing services to Lincoln County Power or its subsidiaries or affiliates (e.g., providing such information to third parties performing computer-related services for Lincoln County Power or its affiliates). Your password will not be provided to third parties;
  4. We form a good-faith belief that disclosure of such information is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding any illegal activities or regarding interference with our general operations or the operation of our site or violation of its terms of use; or
  5. Disclosing such information is allowed by law or our legal counsel forms a good- faith belief that such disclosure is required by federal or state law, subpoena or court order.

By providing personally identifiable information, you expressly consent to these privacy practices. Also, Lincoln County Power reserves the right to share any aggregated information (i.e., non-personally identifiable information) with any third parties for any reason, unless prohibited by law.

Security

Lincoln County Power uses available industry-standard practices to protect your personally identifiable information from loss, misuse, alteration and destruction. Such measures include firewalls and Secure Sockets Layers (SSL) to encrypt and protect certain sensitive transmissions of information. However, no security system is fail-safe, and Lincoln County Power cannot guarantee the information you provide will never be obtained by unauthorized persons. The yellow lock at the bottom right-hand corner of a web page indicates that a user is on a secured site. In some areas of our web site, we require a user ID and password for you to access certain information. Lincoln County Power will not disclose such password to third parties; however, you are responsible for maintaining the privacy and security of your password.

Obtaining and Correcting Personally Identifiable Information

If you wish to obtain a copy of the personally identifiable information that we have obtained from you through your use of this site, or you believe that we have personally identifiable information that we have obtained from you through your use of our site, please contact us using the information below:

How to Reach Us

We can be reached in the following ways:

  • Postal Address: Lincoln County Power, P.O. Box 910, Panaca, Nevada 89042
  • Physical Address: Lincoln County Power, 201 Bullionville Road, Panaca, Nevada  89042
  • Email: lcpd1@lcpd1.com
  • Telephone: (775) 728-8200

Changes to Our Privacy Policy

Lincoln County Power reserves the right to change this privacy policy at any time. If we decide to change our policy regarding privacy, we will post the revised Privacy Policy on our website. You may want to visit this website periodically to review the current Privacy Policy. Use of our website after the posting of a revised privacy policy constitutes your agreement with the revised policy. This Privacy Policy is not intended to and does not create any contractual or legal rights in or on behalf of any party.

Contact Info

Lincoln County Power
P.O. Box 910
Panaca, Nevada  89042

Office: 775-728-8200
Toll Free: 888-649-3814

About Us

Established in 1935, Lincoln County Power provides retail and wholesale electric service throughout Lincoln County, Nevada and to Coyote Springs in Clark County, Nevada.

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©2021 Lincoln County Power District No. 1. Your Locally Governed Community Based Electric Service Provider.

  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • ELECTRIC SERVICE
    • Establishing New Service
    • Billing and Payment Options
    • Energy Assistance Program
    • Rates for Electric Service
    • Tree Trimming
  • ENERGY SOLUTIONS
    • Conservation Solutions
    • Solar Solutions
    • Electric Vehicle Solutions
    • Together We Save
  • OUTAGE CENTER
    • If Your Power Is Out
    • Be Prepared - Be Safe
    • Power Outage Map
    • Safety Quiz
  • MY UTILITY
    • Location and Hours
    • Board of Trustees
      • Board Biographies
    • Contact Us
    • Financial Reports
    • Membership
    • Youth Programs
    • Ruralite Magazine
    • Careers
    • About Touchstone Energy