Media Contact: Oct. 11, 2018
Pacific Power media line FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
800-570-5838
Pacific Power brings smart meters to Coos County in November
The new meters help shorten outages, provide daily usage data, and keep Oregon a leader in using clean, renewable energy.
COOS BAY Ore. — Pacific Power is bringing more efficient and effective smart meters to residents and businesses of Coos County, replacing thousands of aging electric meters throughout the fall.
About 25,500 new meters will be installed in Coos Bay, Coquille, Myrtle Point, North Bend, Norway, Powers, Bandon, Broadbent and Charleston. The installations are set to begin the week of Nov. 5 and will continue in the area through January. In all, Pacific Power will replace 590,000 meters in communities across the state from now through fall 2019.
“We’re installing smart meters here in Coos County as part of a statewide upgrade for the homes and businesses we serve,” said Sam Carter, Pacific Power’s regional business manager for Coos and Douglas counties. “It’s a project that will enable our communities to take advantage of faster, more efficient energy technology.”
The new smart meters will:
Pacific Power will hold a free workshop for local customers to share information about smart meters and answer questions about the project. The workshop will take place on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park at 3201 Tremont St., North Bend, in the Salmon East Room.
Nationwide, more than 70 million smart meters are installed at homes and businesses, which includes half of all households in the U.S. Smart meters are a key component to updating the energy grid originally built for technology from 100 years ago. They also help Pacific Power hold down operating costs, improve customer service and reliability while maintaining the highest standards of security and customer privacy.
“This free upgrade brings a future of reliable and efficient power to our region and to our state,” said Carter. “We are connecting communities throughout Oregon, improving the way we power our customers’ lives both at home and at work.”
Access to daily energy usage information will be available to customers via a secure website. The near real-time energy usage information will let customers better understand what is driving their electric bills and help them make decisions that can save energy and money. This capability will come about six weeks after a new meter is installed.
Here’s what customers can expect during the installation process:
If customers have any concerns, have not received the proper series of notices or have any reason to think a notification is not legitimate, customers should hang up and call Pacific Power’s customer service at 1-800-221-7070 immediately to verify whether they are scheduled for an installation.
Additional information, including installation updates are available at www.pacificpower.net/smartmeter. Customers can also call 866-869-8520 for help with any questions.
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About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.9 million customers in six western states Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.
Science, technology and a sense of wonder come to Grants Pass “Invent 2018” on October 27
Free downtown event will showcase local STEAM offerings to area residents
with hands-on activities and music for all ages
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Calling all makers, tinkerers, inventors and the curious! The Rogue Valley’s finest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) offerings are coming together for “Invent 2018” on October 27 in downtown Grants Pass. The collaborative event, from Rogue Community College, City of Grants Pass, Dutch Bros., and Pacific Power, will offer four action-packed hours of free hands-on activities, attractions and live music to celebrate the array of local activities and resources dedicated to furthering innovation and creativity for the region.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the innovation taking place in our community with those who support STEAM education in Grants Pass and beyond,” said Christina Kruger, Pacific Power regional business manager for Josephine and Jackson counties. “It’s an honor to come together with the city, Rogue Community College (RCC) and Dutch Bros. to provide area residents with learning opportunities, a chance to get curious, and a place to dream up big ideas to power the future growth and vitality of our region.”
The event will offer a preview of the Rogue Innovation Hub, a downtown creative maker space and technical innovation hub designed to inspire and nourish hometown cultural and economic opportunity. The Innovation Hub is the creation of City of Grants Pass and RCC and is housed in the historic Grants Pass City Hall and Fire Station building.
“This first-ever event for Grants Pass shines a spotlight on the growing number of resources for those who want to create and innovate and design new solutions,” said Ron Goss, director of the RCC Small Business Development Center. “STEAM creates opportunities for jobs while building a stronger, more connected and self-sustaining community.”
Dutch Bros. is opening the lot outside its company headquarters to host a live entertainment stage with local bands and musicians, a pint-sized traveling coffee cart, and featured Dutch Bros. artisans – employees who will showcase their talents in a variety of STEAM-themed demonstrations, including woodworking, drumming and graphic design.
“Grants Pass is a special place that boasts many talented musicians, artists, scientists, engineers and creators, who are helping our hometown and the entire Rogue Valley region stand out and get noticed,” said Kendra Lellis, a Dutch Bros. representative. “Dutch Bros. is excited to celebrate our region and celebrate the creative people who are a part of it through Invent 2018.”
The event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Small Business Development Center and Dutch Bros. headquarters, adjacent to SW 4th and SW G streets in downtown. It is free to attend and geared for all ages.
Event highlights include:
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MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR OCT. 12, 2018, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pacific Power invites local media to join a guided tour of the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project, specifically tours of the fish enhancements at Soda Springs Dam. Learn from our fish biologists about the immense work that goes into the preservation and conservation of endangered Chinook salmon and other native fish species.
Who: Pacific Power, along with federal and state natural resource agencies.
What: A public tour of Soda Springs Dam that includes stops to see wildlife bridges, fish ladders, Chinook salmon spawning grounds and so much more.
When: Oct. 12, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The tour begins with a presentation at the North Umpqua Implementation Center, which is about an hour east of Roseburg on Highway 138. Turn left at Milepost 57 (at the green "Toketee Control Center" sign) onto Toketee School Road, and proceed down the road ¼-mile to the parking lot in front of the gray and blue buildings. After the presentation, guests will be transported on buses to see several project sites.
Why: Great opportunities for pictures and video of spawning salmon and interesting information for your audience about the fish passage enhancements at the dam. Hear directly from the region’s leading fish biologists and conservationists.
For more information, contact Tom Gauntt at 503-813-7291. Space is limited, so please call ahead to reserve a spot.
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Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News media hotline: 800-570-5838 Oct. 5, 2018
Seven safety tips for working in the yard
Pacific Power offers safety tips for homeowners preparing for fall
PORTLAND, Ore. – The air is turning crisp and leaves are falling from the trees: fall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. For some homeowners, this means cleaning the gutters or weatherproofing windows, for others it means taming overgrown gardens or trimming trees. Outdoor projects like these can be dangerous if you don’t put safety first.
“Now is a great time to prune any trees that could cause trouble once the storms start coming in,” said Steve Harkin, Pacific Power safety director. “Check around your property if any trees or branches could harm power lines if they fall. Some preventive work now could save more headaches later.”
Use caution when pruning trees. If power lines run through or near the tree, do not attempt to trim it. Instead, call Pacific Power toll free at 888-221-7070.
Here are seven simple tips to stay safe this fall:
For more safety tips or to order free Pacific Power safety materials, call toll free at 800-375-7085 or visit pacificpower.net/safety.
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About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, Ore and provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing 1.9 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. For more information, visit pacificpower.net.
Contact: September 27, 2018
Media hotline, 800-570-5838 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pacific Power brings smart meters to Douglas County in November
The new meters help shorten outages, provide daily usage data, and keep Oregon a leader in using clean, renewable energy.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — Pacific Power is bringing more efficient and effective smart meters to residents and businesses of Douglas County, replacing thousands of aging electric meters throughout the fall.
About 40,000 new meters will be installed in Canyonville, Days Creek, Diamond Lake, Dillard, Glide, Idleyld Park, Myrtle Creek, Oakland, Riddle, Roseburg, Sutherlin, Tiller, Umpqua, Wilbur, Winchester and Winston. The installations are set to begin the week of November 5 and will continue in the area through January. In all, Pacific Power will replace 590,000 meters in communities across the state from now through fall 2019.
“We’re installing smart meters here in Douglas County as part of a statewide upgrade for the homes and businesses we serve,” said Sam Carter, Pacific Power’s regional business manager for Douglas County. “It’s a project that will enable our communities to take advantage of faster, more efficient energy technology.”
The new smart meters will:
Nationwide, more than 70 million smart meters are installed at homes and businesses, which includes half of all households in the U.S. Smart meters are a key component to updating the energy grid originally built for technology from 100 years ago. They also help Pacific Power hold down operating costs, improve customer service and reliability while maintaining the highest standards of security and customer privacy.
“This free upgrade brings a future of reliable and efficient power to our region and to our state,” said Carter. “We are connecting communities throughout Oregon, improving the way we power our customers’ lives both at home and at work.”
Access to daily energy usage information will be available to customers via a secure website. The near real-time energy usage information will let customers better understand what is driving their electric bills and help them make decisions that can save energy and money. This capability will come about six weeks after a new meter is installed.
Here’s what customers can expect during the installation process:
If customers have any concerns, have not received the proper series of notices or have any reason to think a notification is not legitimate, customers should hang up and call Pacific Power’s customer service at 1-800-221-7070 immediately to verify whether they are scheduled for an installation.
Additional information, including installation updates are available at www.pacificpower.net/smartmeter. Customers can also call 866-869-8520 for help with any questions.
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About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides electric service to more than 740,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.9 million customers in six western states Information about Pacific Power is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via pacificpower.net.