By: Rachael Witter
rwitter@klkntv.com
LES is looking into some new technology that might save their customers a little money.
It's a new "smart meter" system that could possibly replace the analog meters that are being used right now, but it doesn't come without some concern.
Testing has started on new wireless electricity meters. These smart meters could save you, the customer, money by providing more information than the meters in place now.
"You as a consumer, could look on the Internet at anytime during the course of the month and try to get an idea and actually see a picture of how much energy you consumed through the month and what that would cost you if we were to bill you at that exact moment," said Todd Hall with LES.
The meters would also cut down on LES operation costs, eliminating the need for actual people to go out and read each individual meter.
"In terms of our cost of operation, which saves money for every one of our rate payers, also saving money for the individual consumer out in Lincoln and Lancaster county because they'll have more information to make better decisions on how they consume energy," Hall said.
The meters are also generating some health concerns, like possible radiation, which is why LES is doing extensive testing before going ahead with implementing the smart meters.
"It's obviously of great concern to some and we want to make sure and verify for ourselves and for those that have a concern that there really is no health concern at all should we decide to roll out this technology," said Hall.
If the meters were put in place, Lincoln would join 25 states already using this technology. The testing timeframe for the smart meter system could take as long as two to three years, and if everything is a go, Lincoln could see the smart technology in about five.
