News

Release

Vectren Corporation

P.O. Box 209

Evansville, IN 47702-0209

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 03, 2015
Contact: Natalie Hedde, 812-491-5105 or [email protected]

Vectren to deploy automated meter reading in Huntington, Wells and Allen Counties

Evansville, Ind. - Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North (Vectren) has launched an eighteen-month plan to install Automated Meter Reading (AMR) devices throughout its southeast and central Indiana service territory. Crews working for Vectren will soon begin installing Encoder Receiver Transmitters (ERTs) on meters in Andrews, Huntington, Markle and Warren, Indiana. AMR will enable Vectren to efficiently obtain actual reads by driving routes, rather than walking the routes, which will increase reads per day and eliminate issues such as weather, meter reader turnover, animals and locked gates from obtaining actual reads.
AMR uses special devices known as Encoder Receiver Transmitter (ERT) devices, which are installed on natural gas meters in order to transmit encrypted meter information via radio signals to data collection devices located within specially-equipped vehicles. Powered by a battery, this technology operates at a special low-power frequency and has been proven nationally in many utility installations not to interfere with any other electrical equipment such as computers, radios, satellite television, home security systems, mobile devices or pacemakers.
"The addition of AMR technology to Vectren's system has a number of benefits for our customers," said Mike Roeder, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North president. "AMR reduces the number of estimated meter reads and is more convenient for customers who have traditionally had to provide the utility with access to inside meters or those behind locked gates. The implementation of these devices will result in more efficient meter reads."
The majority of existing meters will be quickly retrofitted to house the new technology. The retrofit process can take as little as 10 minutes and doesn't require any action on the customer's part if the meter is located outside the home. In some cases, replacement of the entire meter may be necessary as a result of the current meter being unable to accept the new technology. If inside-home access or a complete meter change out is required, customers will be contacted by a Vectren representative prior to the start of the required
work.
As Vectren transitions from walking meter reading to mobile data collection, customers may see changes to their monthly bill due date. This could occur as small walk-by meter routes transition to larger mobile drive-by routes. Any changes will be communicated to customers as they occur.
The implementation of AMR is included within Vectren's seven-year natural gas pipeline modernization filing and is intended to improve the efficiencies of the utility's natural gas infrastructure and enhance customer experience in the communities throughout its service territory. For information on gas pipeline modernization efforts, visit vectren.com/modernization. For more information on Vectren's implementation of AMR, visit vectren.com/AMR.
Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-North serves 585,000 gas customers in all or a portion of Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Huntington, Jackson, Jay, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Orange, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Wayne, Wells and White counties.

About Vectren

Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in adjoining
service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the
U.S. These include infrastructure services and energy services. To learn more about Vectren, visit
www.vectren.com.