Some software systems (i.e., accounting programs and outage management software programs) have been purchased and installed in support of data from smart meters, programs which have had to be replaced or updated because of incompatibility. Rate increases have been needed to pay for the many extra updates to software programs and to replace some hardware. In the meantime as the PUD has acknowledged, many utility companies have already installed these “advanced” meters. In the surrounding service areas these advanced meters are already part of operational systems. I applaud the PUD for its intent to install these advanced meters by 2023, even though the PUD is many years behind other local utility companies.

Source: The Herald April 14, 2022 08:35 UTC