Q. What is AMI and what benefits does it provide?
For the last two decades, VEC has used Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to communicate to meters throughout our service territory. AMI helps VEC operate more efficiently by reducing manual meter-reading costs, fuel use, and vehicle travel. Participation in the AMI system helps VEC continue providing these efficiencies for all members, which saves money for the Co-op as a whole.
Q. What is VEC’s Radio Frequency (RF) upgrade project?
VEC is upgrading the current power-line communication (PLC) meters with new radio frequency (RF) meters. This upgrade to the AMI system will help improve communication between your home or business and VEC.
Q. What are the benefits to members of the RF project?
- Outage response. When there are power outages, the VEC control center will know about them immediately, which means crews can restore power faster. The new RF meters will be able to detect outages even if members don’t call them in to VEC. For instance, if a member leaves town for the weekend and the power goes out at their home, VEC will know about the outage and can restore power faster.
- More robust network. This new meter system is a mesh network of devices. This means that signals have several different pathway options to communicate information to and from our members, making communication between VEC and our members smoother and more reliable.
- Power quality. RF systems have no impact on home devices. The older PLC system that we are replacing can exacerbate instances of light flicker, home solar equipment resets, or can cause problems with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices.
Q. How do RF meters work? Instead of sending data over power lines, RF meters send data using low energy radio waves.*
Q. What is the timing of this project? The project began in August of 2025 and will take several years to complete.
Q. How will the installation of the new meters work for members? A field technician will come to your property to install the new meter. If you're home, they’ll let you know before starting. Power will be off briefly (1–2 minutes) during the swap. Once the new meter is installed, power will be restored. You don’t need an appointment or have to do anything special.
Q. What if I'm not home? The technician will still replace the meter and leave a door hanger letting you know it’s been done.
Q. Is there a cost to me for this change? No. Members will not be billed separately for the meter replacement or installation visit. As with all utility infrastructure investments, the project is funded through VEC's overall operations and capital improvement program for the benefit of all members.
Q. Does the meter itself use power? Yes, but the power used by the meter comes from VEC’s side of the meter, so the member pays solely for their own usage.
Q. Can I opt out of getting an RF meter? Yes. However, it would mean you would no longer receive the benefits of the AMI system.
Q. What would I miss out on if I chose to opt out of the AMI system?
- You would not receive automatic outage detection at your location, and your outage could go undetected by VEC. Outage detection and restoration could take longer, particularly if it is an isolated outage. AMI meters automatically notify VEC when power is interrupted, even if no one is home to report the outage. Members who opt out will not have this capability.
- You will not receive notifications through SmartHub. Members who opt out will not receive automated alerts letting them know when power is out or when service has been restored.
- You would not be able to access detailed energy usage information. Members who opt out will not be able to view daily or hourly electric usage data through SmartHub or set usage alerts and may not be able to take advantage of other cost-saving programs in the future.
- Members will be encouraged to read their own meters. These usage readings would be regularly reported to VEC.
Q. Can I decide to opt out later?
Yes. We do encourage members to give it a try and experience its benefits firsthand before making a final decision.
Opt Out Forms
To have a form mailed to you, to fill out and return to VEC, please email [email protected]. You may also fill out this online form.
* RF meters operate using similar technology to other common household devices, such as cell phones, microwave ovens, and baby monitors. However, RF meters operate at much lower power levels and less frequently than these items. More information is here:
Itron, Analysis of Radio Frequency Exposure Associated with Itron's Advanced Metering Devices, citing California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters (2011)
(Last updated Aug 31, 2026)