Morrisville Gets Money To Modernize Meters
Morrisville Water & Light (MWL), the community-owned electric utility in the heart of Lamoille County, announced today that it will be receiving approximately $500,000 in grant funds to install advanced meters. The new meters will provide the utility and its customers with faster access to detailed customer electric usage data. MWL customers can expect meter installations to begin in 2024.
Currently, the utility only knows if a customer’s power is out if they receive a call. These advanced meters will automatically transmit to MWL when a customer’s power is out, allowing the utility to respond to outages more efficiently and effectively. The meters will also transmit electricity usage, which will help ensure MWL’s customers are using electricity as efficiently and affordably as possible.
“The new meters will help bring MWL’s grid infrastructure into the 21st century,” said Scott Johnstone. “Advanced meters are essential to building a smarter, cleaner, more reliable and efficient power grid and will lay the foundation for a wide range of electric and water benefits. They can provide our customers with improved meter accuracy and efficiency, enhanced service and billing operations, and improved reliability. We are grateful to VPPSA and the State of Vermont for these funds to do this critical work. Advancing technology while keeping costs low is just one of the ways we show that community is at the heart of Morrisville Water & Light.”
The funding stems from a legislative allocation in the 2023 state fiscal year budget. The Vermont General Assembly carved out $8 million for the Department of Public Service to distribute as grants to municipal and cooperative electric utilities installing advanced meters. Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA), an organization that provides services to municipal electric utilities, was awarded $5 million on behalf of its 11 utility members. Approximately half a million will go to MWL.
MWL will be reaching out directly to customers regarding specific installation dates. Customers can reach the electric utility with questions by calling (802) 888-3348.
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About MWL
Community is at the heart of Morrisville Water & Light. MWL is a non-profit public power utility serving over 4,000 customers in the Vermont towns of Morrisville, Elmore, Hyde Park, Johnson, Morristown, Stowe, and Wolcott. The utility is governed by a five-member board of trustees and makes decisions through public participation at open meetings. MWL prides itself on meeting the community’s needs while committing to renewable energy resources and sustainable practices that benefit the environment.
About VPPSA
Community is at the heart of VPPSA. VPPSA provides municipal electric utility members with a broad spectrum of services and solutions, including wholesale power supply purchasing, regulatory assistance, and financial planning. VPPSA members include Barton Electric, Village of Enosburg Falls, Hardwick Electric Department, Jacksonville Electric Company, Village of Johnson Water & Light, Ludlow Electric Light Department, Lyndonville Electric Department, Morrisville Water & Light, Northfield Electric Department, Orleans Electric, and Swanton Village. For more information, visit www.vppsa.com.