2. How does the AMR technology work?
A small radio transmitter will be installed on the gas meters and new electric meters will come with the transmitter already installed. Once the transmitter has been installed, Montana-Dakota Utilities will be able to read these meters remotely with walk-by handheld receivers, mobile receivers and fixed-tower collectors. After the data is collected it is supplied to the Montana-Dakota’s customer information system (CIS) and used for billing customers.

3. Why is Montana-Dakota implementing AMR?
It is essential that we continuously look at how we do our business, and to provide our services at the best possible value to our customers. AMR technology is now at a point where it is economically cost effective when compared with our current manual reading.

4. What are the benefits of the AMR project?
AMR offers many benefits to the customer and Montana-Dakota including:

Convenience:  AMR significantly reduces the need for Montana-Dakota to access the customer’s property.

Accurate and Consistent Reads:  Electronic reads are more accurate than manual reads, so the effects of human error are reduced.  Also, AMR minimizes the number of missed reads that often require estimated bills.

Safety:  There is increased risk of dog bites and slips and falls when employees are regularly accessing customer property. AMR significantly reduces this risk.

Future Opportunities:  AMR also has the potential to be used for power outage management, meter reads on demand and to provide customers additional information and pricing options.

5. When is the AMR project scheduled to begin?
Montana-Dakota is partnering with Itron, Inc., a leader in the automated metering process, to assist with the project. This will include developing the required infrastructure, deploying the upgraded meters/communication devices and billing system changes necessary to provide a transition that will be seamless to the affected customers. Montana-Dakota and the contractor will begin replacing electric meters and installing gas modules in late February to early March. Approximately 15,000 gas modules and electric meters are expected to be installed each month.  The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008. Installation will begin in Mandan, N.D. The final installations will take place in the Billings area in the fall of 2008. A tentative schedule and project timeline can be found online at Implementation Schedule.