I think WAPA is screwing us over.

Hi all....just to let you know...we are probably being screwed worse than anybody would think. Our new smart meters....guess who is the executive VP for the company that manufactures the meter:

HUGO V. HODGE, JR. :: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER, CARIBBEAN BASIN
Hugo V. Hodge, Jr., serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Caribbean Basin for Tantalus. Hugo has had a distinguished career in the utility space and most recently served as CEO of the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority. He has also served in technical and leadership roles at Griffin Power (GA), Marietta Power (GA), and Georgia Power. Supplemental to his knowledge in distribution utility operations and management, Hugo has broadened his industry experience through leadership roles with the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), American Public Power Association (APPA), and the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG). At Tantalus, Hugo leads strategic efforts to expand Tantalus’ presence in the Caribbean Basin through his extensive experience in distribution utility operations coupled with his understanding of the unique business and operational issues in the territory.

by the way...these meters are able to remotely turn your power on and off...just a signal from the main office...no more pulling the meter to shut you off for failure to get WAPA their cash as needed.
I am also told since they are wireless in the communications...hacking is also very easy.
Plus...in tests in Europe, 60% of meter tested were anywhere up to 550% of actual reading of power usage...so, here we go again.
crooks running the show...and the old manager is collecting the fees.

time to go off the grid...

working on a process or system to actually measure and calibrate the new meters as supplied by WAPA...anybody interested please get in touch via PM.
My last system was approved by the technician here on ST Croix...knew for sure when the test device proved beyond doubt that my meter was 21% higher in consumption that actual usage...WAPA actually changed meter in less than 24 hours when I gave them my calculations and means of calculation...now I have their final meter...it will go under the test as supplied by the manufacturer.
Asked WAPA for a certificate of compliance and was told they don't do that.
By the way...they tested my old meter and said it wasn't compliant, but refused to say how much out of compliance...oh well...who would think they would try to screw the consumer on purpose!

Well WAPA switched my meter to a new digital when I wasn't looking so I'm sure that has something to do with not having a bill for last month yet. So I won't know for sure what the final reading on the old meter was. Presumably they will show it on line if they actually update the website data since the consumption history is reported by meter number. I may be interested in checking the calibration of the new meter. Looks like an Itron?

You better call about your bill or they'll turn off your power in the blink of an eye.

Yeah, if they will answer the phone. Most likely their records and billing hasn't caught up with the new meter install yet which I would expect to mean nothing to drive a disconnection. The account is active on their web so and no balance due.

No, they're more likely to update my account with a new bill with an already expired due date when they get around to it. Then they'll disconnect me immediately for late payment. I wonder if the disconnects with the new meters are automated by computer and billing records or if a warm body has to push a button.

The conversion to smart meters was funded by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture per the article below. Interesting.

http://www.telecomengine.com/article/itron-tantalus-secure-smart-meter-business-us-virgin-islands

http://www.telecomengine.com/article/itron-tantalus-secure-smart-meter-business-us-virgin-islands

According to Itron and Tantalus, the utility will at first use “high-return” Tantalus applications, such as real-time meter reading and billing reconciliation

as far as I know the "remote monitoring" still isn't working correctly.. much less any of the other stuff.

WAPA finally answered the phone after 30 minutes on hold. Said meter was changed early last month and should get a bill just for the old meter final reading and a separate bill for the new meter, someday. Not to worry about disconnect with zero balance due.

So we had upto 100mph gust here in western NY and I have been without power since 1 pm Wednesday. Since we don't use the generator much, the gas wasn't feeling well and was green. so spent the first hours cleaning it before getting it to run. Lesson learned, gas treatment and start every 6 months just in case. But she's running like a champ and still not timeline on my power. Lost a 50' tree in my yard as well, fell right between my shed and house. 🙂

I would start it more frequently than that

YMMV

So we had upto 100mph gust here in western NY and I have been without power since 1 pm Wednesday. Since we don't use the generator much, the gas wasn't feeling well and was green. so spent the first hours cleaning it before getting it to run. Lesson learned, gas treatment and start every 6 months just in case. But she's running like a champ and still not timeline on my power. Lost a 50' tree in my yard as well, fell right between my shed and house. 🙂

WNY!!!!(tu)

I grew up in Kenmore, NY (next to Buffalo). SUNY BFLO '85 and NCC '95.

Down here in Charleston, SC I start the generator ~6months. I do drain out all of the fuel and keep a can of GUMOUT handy. Don't forget a ground rod!!

Bought mine in 2000 after Hurricane Floyd. Didn't need it for 12 years. Now need it usually twice/yr.

We run ours every month and put a load on it. Overkill I know.

Yep, power out now until 7pm they think. they said 6pm yesterday so I'm not counting on it. So many lines down.

Need to get the ethanol treatment as well. I think that's why my float pin was missing the little rubber stopper, it must have destroyed it. I should know better. 🙁

I have had it for 11 years now, used it 3x's. We had a November snow storm that knocked power out for 5 days, was selling 100's of generators from my store. My brother got his the same time, takes care of it and started right up.

@treeman - grew up in Alden, graduated HS in 85. Moving to STX in 5 years. At least that's my goal.

We run ours every month and put a load on it. Overkill I know.

Mine runs on propane, so.....

Propane is the smart ticket here. Run it occasionally, though, or the fuel shutoff valves tend to stick closed.

Propane is the smart ticket here. Run it occasionally, though, or the fuel shutoff valves tend to stick closed.

I put a natural gas kit on my 15KW portable gasoline generator in the states years ago. Basically just a gas pressure regulator and simple jet in front of the horizontal carb intake. And a 1" flexible appliance quick connect line for the gas. Can still run gasoline but never do, carb and tank stay empty. De-rate to 13KW on nat gas.

So Lesson learned, gas treatment and start every 6 months just in case. But she's running like a champ and still not timeline on my power.

Run generator every few months and as you shut down cut fuel and run until it stops from lack of gas. Helps to stop issues with bad gas/shellacing in carb.....

Heck, with all the outages, my diesel generator w/auto transfer switch, gets a workout without my having to worry about starting it.
Just keep it serviced and annual diesel treatment is recommended.
I do agree that if you have a small gas generator and not using it frequently drain gas, what else? carburetor fluid?

I had a small gasoline powered generator that I purchased after Hurricane Hugo in in 89. I just sold it last year...still running beautifully.
That little generator saved me thru Hugo, Marilyn and throughout the decades and outages in between until I purchased a home with the whole property diesel.
It was a champ.
Hated to let it go.

Anyone else's bills late this month?

Usually get my bill no later than the 10th.
Still haven't received, call numerous times last couple of days, only to have NO ONE at CUSTOMER SERVICE pick up after 15 minutes, each time.
I then tried to access my account, online. NOPE!
I then emailed CUSTOMER SERVICE, gave them all necessary information, asked if they could call, email me the current bill and got an email response that I should call CUSTOMER SERVICE or pay my bill online!
Seriously, WTF?

I might add, I've had the darned "smart meter" for quite awhile.

Okay, I'm officially pissed off.
I'll be contacting PSC in the morning especially since WAPA is taking them to court for regulating them and they are raising rates without authorization.

It should not take anymore 3 days, whether by phone, online, or email to discern, receive or be able to pay any bill.

Anyone else's bills late this month?

Since my bill is never ready until around the 18th-20th of the month, I cannot answer this question. As for going on line I have not had any problems lately --- knock on wood.

Jumbie

I still haven't gotten the bill(s) for Feb yet. Not for old meter or new meter. I guess one of these days the guy with my old meter in the back of his truck is going to clean things up and maybe bring the old meter into the office. Then maybe someone will ask where did this meter come from, oh, we'd better send a bill. Or maybe the old meter fell off the back of his truck and they;ll never find it.

My home on STX just got the smart meter. So last month's bill showed the credits from my solar (carryover) from LY and my $11.00 bill this year. Amount to pay stated 0$ This month my bill came after 8 days on the smart meter, don't ask me how or why, showing the $11 owed, plus $33 for a total of $44 due in about 3 weeks. I know that the credits shouldn't have carried over, so I'm ok with the $11 previous charge. I decide to pay online as it is much easier for me and it was pretty seemless, except the account number could have used a bit of guidance on how they wanted it to be entered. Anyways, that same day after paying my bill, that previously showed 0, now 44 due in 3 weeks, I received a late notice for the $11.00, they really have no clue as to what they are doing. Also, I'm concerned about the meter, as all of last year, my tenant never used more than was produced, now I have a smart meter and I'm owing money already. Somethings up and I will have to really look at it and compare to last years bills to make sure the usage is showing correctly.

I used to like the fact that they'd give you next meter reading date.
Haven't seen the next reading date on any bill lately.
The fact that I can't get anyone on the phone, use the website, get an email response besides directing me to do everything I've already done,
really ticks me off.

All I want to do is pay my darned bill. It shouldn't be this difficult!

WAPA is taking PSC to court to challenge their authority to regulate what they charge and while WAPA hasn't fulfilled their obligations to ratepayers.

I would say...every single person that has griped here, myself included, call, write, email PSC.

Well, WAPA finally posted a new bill for my account on the web site. The bill shows the final consumption from the old meter and separately shows the consumption for the new meter but only charged me for the new meter consumption. The consumption report shows the grand total usage from both meters and total number of days since last reading from prior bill, 56 days. So we'll see if they catch up and somehow send a separate bill for the old meter.

And even though they only charged for the new meter usage, they charged the higher rate for everything over 250kWH even though it was longer than 30 days of usage on the new meter. WAPA web site only identifies the lower rate is charged for first 250kWH, doesn't say 250kWH over what period.