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Power Company Demands Key to read meter when they want

Cannonmn

Stainless
Joined
Jun 25, 2016
One of our buildings is used to store valuable material! Tools, etc. and has no regular open hours. The power company sent a letter demanding a key so they could read the meter whenever they want. They gave no other options. My answer is NO. I guess if I don’t comply they’ll shut off the power. Anyone else had this happen?
 
Valuables storage area, bonded entrants required. No entry onto company property without a company escort, per insurance company regulations.

Who reads meters directly anyway? Everything around here is read via powerline carrier.
 
One of our buildings is used to store valuable material! Tools, etc. and has no regular open hours. The power company sent a letter demanding a key so they could read the meter whenever they want. They gave no other options. My answer is NO. I guess if I don’t comply they’ll shut off the power. Anyone else had this happen?

What kind of mickey mouse electric company have you got there?
Even in backwater Marysville Ohio the electric co. reads the meter from the main office.
 
One possible solution is just tell ‘em fine, turn it off, and bring over a portable generator to wheel outside for when we need lights. A couple of light towers on extension cords would complete the system. We only go in that place a few times a month.

Other fix is to schedule times we’ll be there and give them a copy, but they won’t like that, they want to do their meter readings whenever. I’ll discuss options with them soon but I don’t expect much, they’re used to having everything their way.
 
One possible solution is just tell ‘em fine, turn it off, and bring over a portable generator to wheel outside for when we need lights. A couple of light towers on extension cords would complete the system. We only go in that place a few times a month.

Other fix is to schedule times we’ll be there and give them a copy, but they won’t like that, they want to do their meter readings whenever. I’ll discuss options with them soon but I don’t expect much, they’re used to having everything their way.

Solar cells on roof, and battery bank to charge up, inverter for power to lights.
It will pay for itself with the "one less meter charge" sounds like you have minimal usage, so are probably paying
just to keep a meter installed/hot.
 
A place I used to work had a small window and a mirror by the meter so they could read it with their little spotting scope like thing through the window whenever they wanted.
 
I would wonder why they haven't replaced with a remote monitor meter. Heck I had a chunk of ice fall on my meter one spring and crack it. I didn't even know about it till the service guy showed up to replace it, said the meter called in sick.
 
They came and changed our house meter 3 times the year after we hooked up our solar citing that it wasn't working properly, I was unable to convince them that the solar system was there to prevent the meter from turning but that was 20+ years ago and some folke at the power company wern't up to speed on solar yet.
 
The power company rep. used to have to come out and read our meter. The meter for my house was about 100 feet from an easement road next to my place. Often he would stay in his car on the easement and use binoculars to read the meter. He usually got it right but once he missed a digit and I got a bill for $3,000! The usual monthly bill was never more than $75. I complained and they fixed the bill but soon thereafter the wireless meters came out and now they read them automatically from their office so no more wrong bills.

The OP needs to just get a wireless meter installed. I wouldn't give anyone a key to a secure area, either.
 
Even REC has a remotely read meter for me and I am out in the sticks. I probably got that remotely read meter a half dozen years ago or so, looks like your VA power company is even behind mine.
 
One of our buildings is used to store valuable material! Tools, etc. and has no regular open hours. The power company sent a letter demanding a key so they could read the meter whenever they want. They gave no other options. My answer is NO. I guess if I don’t comply they’ll shut off the power. Anyone else had this happen?

Dominion VA Power, formerly Virginia Electric Power, can walk right up to mine, outside wall, street side of a gate in the fence.

But they do not.

They replaced the meter when they went to "demand" charges with a complex digital one they read remotely. Several years ago. I wasn't home. Didn't initially even know they had done that.

Contact them:

"We'll arrange to meet ONCE so EITHER:

- You can come and do the over-due. Upgrade the meter so you can read it remotely and no longer need unscheduled entry."

- You can come and agree the site of the new outdoor meter."

See also:

https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Utility-Complaints

Your tax dollars at work.

Might be a "blue" State, but Virginia is not yet up to the whole "100% F**ked!" level as others are.

Our "Sic semper tyrannis" attitude is at least still slowing the looting bastards down!
 
Most states have a "public utilities commission" or some similar name that regulates rates and other services the utility companies must provide. Call them. They will tell you if the electric company must install a remote reading meter. Added bonus, your call to the commission will prompt the commission to call the utility for their side of the story. Utility companies HATE calls from their regulatory agency so may likely call you and offer a solution. Good luck.
Dennis
 
Have the power company sign a statement that they will be liable for any loss or damage that occurs while they have the key. Make sure a couple of top executives sign and date it.

Tom
 








 
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