The metering required for Electric Choice service is the same as that required for customers taking service on the equivalent Full Service rates.

Here's a quick summary of Electric Choice metering requirements:

Metering Equipment

• Secondary voltage customers may continue to use their current standard energy or energy/demand metering; or they may elect an optional interval-metered service at their expense.
• Primary voltage customers are required to have interval metering.

Meter Reading

• Standard energy and energy/demand meters will continue to be read by a meter reader on a monthly basis.
• Interval meters will be read through a customer-provided telephone line.

Interval Meter Phone Line Requirements

Electric Choice customers with interval meters are required to provide a working telephone line to the meter so that Detroit Edison can read the interval meters electronically. The customer can provide either a shared or a dedicated phone line. The customer is responsible for all costs related to the phone line. 

• The telephone line must be installed and successful communication between the meter and Detroit Edison's data collection system must be verified before a customer may begin the interval-metered service.
• If customers fail to maintain a working phone line, Detroit Edison will read the interval meter manually for a charge of $37.00 per month after the first manual read.
• If the phone line fails for three consecutive months, Detroit Edison may change the meter service:
  • Secondary customers will be switched from interval-metered service to standard energy meter or energy/demand meter service.
  • Primary customers will be returned to Full Service, subject to the notice provision of the Retail Access Service Rider's Section 5.3. Term, Commencement and Return to Full Service.
• These requirements apply to all customers taking interval-metered Electric Choice service--all Primary voltage customers and any Secondary voltage customers electing Optional Interval-Metered Service. Refer to What You Should Know About Electric Choice Interval Metering* for more information.

Metering Cost and Minimum Term

Optional Interval-Metered Service Highlights:

• For secondary customers only:
  • The monthly charge for Optional Interval Metered Service is
    • $25.00/month for Business Electric/General Service (rate 110)
    • $20.75/month for Business Electric with Demand/Large General Service (rate 112)
  • The Optional Interval-Meter Service has a 12-month minimum term.
    • The monthly charge and minimum term will apply for any interval meters installed after December 18, 2006.

Primary Interval-Metered Service Highlights:

• All primary voltage customers are required to have interval meters
  • There is no additional monthly charge; an interval meter is already required by--and included in--their Primary rate.
  • There is no separate minimum term for Primary Interval-Meter Service. The minimum term for your Primary electric service applies.

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