New automated meters to help improve our electric distribution system east of Pendleton will be deployed over the coming months.
On behalf of UEC, Allegiant Utility Services technicians will replace existing automated meters at more than 2,000 residences and other service locations beginning in December.
The meter replacements will begin in the Mission area and progress up the Umatilla River and to the Kamela and Meacham areas.
The replacements will continue into spring 2022 as the Weston Mountain and Tollgate areas are included.
Disruption to members should be minimal. On the day of the replacement, members can expect to lose power for a few seconds as a technician makes the switch. In addition, your next electric utility bill may show two meter readings: one from the old meter and one from the new meter.
The new automated meters will help UEC’s ongoing efforts to improve service reliability.
In recent years, UEC has upgraded its control and data systems, outage management and field equipment to help operators at its command center in Hermiston more quickly detect and respond to outages with accurate location prediction, reducing the need to send a crew to manually check miles of power lines.
The new meters build upon that system. For more information about the meter replacement project, please call UEC at (541) 567-6414 or visit www.umatillaelectric.com/your-meter.