PowerStream Smart Meters Have a Proven Safety Record

VAUGHAN, ON--(Marketwired - January 23, 2015) - Following Thursday's announcement by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) calling for Ontario utilities to replace a certain model of smart meters as soon as possible for precautionary purposes, PowerStream and Collus PowerStream are assuring customers that there are no issues with the devices installed at their homes and businesses.

Although the smart meters in use by both utilities were manufactured by Sensus, the same company that produced the model that has been identified for replacement by the ESA, neither utility uses this particular model or have any in service.

The specific model in question is the ConA™ Generation 3.2 remote disconnect meter. No safety events have been reported with these meters in Ontario but a safety review by the ESA has determined that they are susceptible to a particular kind of failure. As a prudent, preventative step, the ESA has directed that they be removed.

Both PowerStream and Collus PowerStream are now assisting those Ontario utilities affected by the recall by providing them with meters from their own inventories in order to help expedite the meter replacement process and mitigate any possible risk there may be.

QUOTES

• "A complete review of our meter inventory was conducted and we have confirmed that this model is not in use in our service area," explained Eric Fagen, VP Corporate Communications for PowerStream. "Furthermore, the ESA is reporting that there are only 5,400 of these meters currently in use elsewhere in Ontario, which represents barely one tenth of one per cent of the 4.8 million meters in the province."

BACKGROUND

• Since 2007, PowerStream has installed more than 345,000 Sensus smart meters consisting of three different model types.

• PowerStream has experienced no fires, or other safety issues related to the Sensus smart meters, at the time of their installation or subsequently.

• All smart meters in Canada must meet stringent requirements for safety (American National Standards Institute) and accuracy (Measurement Canada) and are thoroughly tested for by both the manufacturer and the utility.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM AND COLLUS POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 370,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan. Collus PowerStream is owned by PowerStream and the Town of Collingwood through a strategic partnership agreement.

ABOUT SENSUS

Sensus is a leading clean technology solutions company offering smart meters, communication systems, software and services for the electric, gas, and water industries. Sensus technology helps utilities drive operational efficiency and customer engagement with applications that include advanced meter reading, data acquisition, demand response, distribution automation, home area networking and outdoor lighting control.

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