Politics & Government

Changes to City Utility Bill Coming Next Month

A reformatted utility bill is set to launch in August for Naperville city utilities customers to better reflect the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative.

Beginning in August, the will launch a reformatted utility bill that will provide customers with more detailed information regarding their city utilities monthly statement. 

Changes to the bill format were made as a result of the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative, according to a city press release.

In next month's bill, customers will receive an insert and a glossary of terms that will describe the major differences between the old and new format. The information is also posted on the city's website along with a list of definitions and a number to call for any questions about the changes.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The city's government access TV station plans on airing a video tutorial regarding the new format on WCNC as well as on the city’s website.

“While the billing format will change, rates will not be changing at this time,” Department of Public Utilities-Electric Director Mark Curran said in a press release. “In addition, customers will continue to pay their bill at the same time of the month as they have in the past. This is simply an update to the look of the utility bill that displays the usage information which will correspond to NSGI-related programs in the future. The bill format will also provide another way customers can conveniently monitor and adjust their energy consumption patterns, if they choose, to fully achieve their energy savings potential.”

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Naperville Smart Grid Initiative will upgrade the city’s $360 million electric network so it is more efficient, cost-effective and reliable customers and will “empower" customers with more information on their energy usage, according to the city’s news release. 

According to the city, the digital smart meters measure energy use as it happens and meters do so securely and safely while transmitting information remotely to the city’s electric utility, which the city said gives customers a new level of awareness and control over their use.  have argued that the system is not safe, fearing it might be hacked and that privacy rights are at issue.

Residents received information with their utility bill about what will take place during the smart meter installation and that information may be found on the city’s website. Customers should receive a letter six to eight weeks prior to installation, which will include contact information for a 24-hour customer care call center for questions and concerns, according to the city.

For more information on the city of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.


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