Smart Meters Coming To 13 NJ Counties Starting In 2023

MENDHAM BOROUGH, NJ — Smart meter installation was approved this month and will begin in 2023 for more than a million Jersey Central Power & Light customers in 13 counties.

FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) will begin installing the automated smart meters on customers' homes and businesses across its service territory as part of its plan to modernize the electric distribution system. The devices will let electric servicers know about blackouts even before customers call and will not require on-site meter readings, according to FirstEnergy.

JCP&L reports it has 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

JCP&L's plan was approved last week by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and includes the installation of more than one million smart meters over a 36-month period. Approximately one-third of the smart meters are expected to be installed each year, with the majority of JCP&L customers receiving a smart meter by 2026, JCP&L explained in a news release.

"Smart meters help ensure accurate readings and will provide customers with information they need to better manage their electricity use. In the future, it will also help us restore power more quickly, especially in storm situations," said JCP&L president Jim Fakult. He added, "FirstEnergy has had tremendous success with this technology in Ohio and Pennsylvania and we are excited to bring it to our customers in New Jersey."

Smart meters differ from traditional electric meters in that they allow for two-way communication and automated meter reading. They also help ensure accurate billing each month by virtually eliminating estimated readings, JCP&L said.

The advantages touted are that customers will be able to track energy consumption to better manage their electricity costs and reduce energy usage. Future benefits include the ability to detect and locate outages more quickly and provide more accurate and timely storm restoration information, according to JCP&L.

The utility explained that about one month prior to smart meter installation, customers will get information at their mailing address notifying them of their upcoming installation and answering common questions. They explained the actual installation will only take minutes and will cause "minimal disruption" to electric service.

And, in case you were wondering, you don't have to get a smart meter. But the ulility's site said if you opt out, you'll have to pay a monthly fee.

FirstEnergy reports it has installed more than 2.7 million smart meters since 2014 across its service territory. Smart meter installation is nearly complete in Pennsylvania and is now happening in Ohio, FirstEnergy said on its website.

JCP&L's plan as approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will modernize the electric distribution system in New Jersey with the installation of 1.1 million smart meters, according to FirstEnergy.

The federal government site Energy.gov said smart meters give utility customers the ability to display home energy use so they can work on saving energy and money.

A site called Family Handyman assesses the pros and cons of smart meters. One of the pros is seeing how you appliances are racking up costs. Though smart meters give readings on the whole house, some models can estimate which appliances are running and when, to help identify inefficient electric usage. The only "cons" identified are the obvious complexity of a two-way communication device, which offers more things that can go wrong. Also noted are the security issues that come with any tracking system.

FirstEnergy responds to this issue saying it "takes the responsibility to protect the privacy and security of our customers very seriously. We do not sell any personal information about customers to third parties. In addition, we will not disclose a customer’s information without prior consent, except as required by law, requested by regulatory agencies and governmental authorities, or to be used for legitimate business purposes (such as credit evaluations)."

The utility assures customers, "No personally-identifiable customer information — such as names and addresses — is stored in the meters or transmitted across the network. Just like traditional analog meters, digital smart meters collect how much electricity you use."

Because smart meters collect information more times throughout the day, they are able to provide a more accurate usage picture for customers, FirstEnergy explained.

Other FAQs about smart meters can be found here.

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