ASHLAND, KY, July 7, 2005 - Kentucky Power customers in and near Ashland will soon have new electric meters installed as part of the company’s efforts to introduce new automated meter reading technology. Approximately 22,500 customers will see their present meters replaced with new ones that are capable of being read remotely by use of either handheld or mobile reading devices. In most cases, meter readers will no longer have to enter customers’ property to gather meter data.
 
"This is an exciting new technology we are using that allows us to read meters more safely and efficiently with an extremely high degree of accuracy," said Tom Wiseman, Kentucky Power’s customer service and marketing manager. "Once the meters are installed, our meter readers will not have to negotiate many obstacles they currently face to get meter readings. Obstacles like dogs, locked gates and fences, yard debris and others will no longer present the problems they do today. Instead, they will be able to read the meters from up to 1,000 feet away. This makes it safer for our employees and more convenient and cost effective for customers."
 
Customers affected should not notice any difference in their service once the meters are installed. There is no charge to them for the new meter and their electricity usage will continue to be read accurately. Customers who get new meters will be notified by letter and a door hanger will be left when the installation is complete. During the installation process, customers will notice a short power interruption to their homes. This is normal and necessary to safely exchange the meters. Wiseman said Kentucky Power will use it’s own employees as well as contract employees from Team STS, a certified electrical contractor.
 
Installation of the new meters should begin the week of July 11 and continue for approximately 8-10 weeks thereafter. Customers should direct questions to Kentucky Power at 800-572-1113.
 
Employees and contractors doing the installation work will have valid company Identification (ID) Cards or some other means of readily identifying themselves to customers. They will have no need to enter customers’ homes, and anyone requesting entry should be viewed skeptically. Customers can contact AEP/Kentucky Power at 800-572-1113 if they have any question as to an employee’s identity or their reasons for being on customers’ property.
 
Kentucky Power provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 Eastern Kentucky counties. It is a unit of American Electric Power, the nation’s largest electricity generator. AEP owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP is based in Columbus, Ohio.