The commission found that AMI smart grid technology will ultimately reduce utility operational costs, improve customer service, and provide customers with the necessary tools to use either electricity efficiently, MPUC said.
Sharon Reishus, MPUC chairperson, said: “It is reasonable for utilities to pursue aggressively smart grid opportunities like cost-effective installation of AMI. This proposal to modernize CMP’s metering system is reasonably likely to save CMP customers $25m over 20 years just in operational savings; the receipt of the DOE grant ensures benefits for customers.”
The CMP AMI proposal was examined to determine whether the benefits would outweigh the cost of approximately $190m. A US Department of Energy grant will cover approximately half the cost of the project. The approval of the smart grid metering plan follows a public hearing on the issue in January 2010.
