Smart Grid Initiative neighborhood open house Dec. 14

First of 14 Open Houses Scheduled Through August 2012

The City of Naperville invites utility customers to learn more about the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative (NSGI) at a neighborhood open house taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Washington Junior High School, 201 N. Washington St. This informative open house will feature several stations where people can talk with NSGI Ambassadors and have their NSGI questions answered.

The NSGI is an upgrade of the city's $360 million electric network to provide more efficient, cost-effective and reliable service to customers and empower them with more information on their energy usage. As part of the NSGI, starting in January 2012, the city will be visiting homes and businesses to replace existing electric meters with new smart meters. These digital smart meters measure energy use in near-real time and securely and safely transmit this data remotely to the city's electric utility on a daily basis, giving customers a new level of awareness and control over their energy use. An interactive map of anticipated installation dates will be available to view on the city's website at www.naperville.il.us/smartgrid.aspx the week of Dec. 12.

Fourteen neighborhood open houses have been scheduled through August 2012 approximately three weeks before smart meter deployment will begin in an area of the city. These open houses will provide customers with a convenient opportunity in their neighborhood to talk one-on-one with Ambassadors and City staff about the NSGI and smart meter installation.

Each residence and business received or will receive a utility bill insert either digitally or by mail with their utility bill in December. This document contains information about what customers can expect during their smart meter installation in 2012. A link to this document, along with more information about the NSGI, is available at www.naperville.il.us/smartgrid.aspx. Customers will receive a letter in the mail approximately six to eight weeks prior to installation with general information and contact information for a 24-hour customer care call center for questions or concerns as well as the date and location of their neighborhood open house.

For more information on the NSGI, visit www.naperville.il.us/smartgrid.aspx. Sign up to receive the latest news on the NSGI via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx. For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.