ONAWAY — Presque Isle Electric & Gas’s (PIE&G) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project continues to implement technology improvements with the placement of several 100-foot towers, manufactured for PIE&G by Moran Iron Works (MIW). Communications equipment mounted high on the towers will help PIE&G collect meter readings, detect outages for faster response and restorations, and identify potential issues for repairs or maintenance.

The AMI project, which will continue into 2023, was initiated when PIE&G’s Stan Chaskey called MIW CEO Tom Moran asking if the metal fabricator could provide a quantity of 100-foot towers. Moran quickly committed and within one week had developed a concept to review with PIE&G.

So far, MIW has manufactured 45 of the towers as well as installed 27 towers for PIE&G. There are now 27,000 advanced meters installed (about three-quarters of its system). The new system will provide members with the most advanced, secure, and reliable technology available.

PIE&G continues to develop its fiber optic network with digital maps of the electric distribution system and construction of the network beginning in the Onaway area. These upgrades provide members with modern, enhanced services, add efficiencies to daily operations and will help improve reliability. Access to high-speed internet has become a staple in daily life and is as essential as our electricity and natural gas service.