Utility project news and field-service articles
Program milestones, company news and practical articles for utility teams, with the dates and sources behind each story.
Company news
Utility Partners of America: Facts and Project Records
UPA’s company facts and public program information now sit in one place, so utilities can check who we are, what we do and the source behind each number.
The Women Driving Operational Excellence at UPA
Operational excellence is built by people and community who show up every day, take ownership of their responsibilities, and hold themselves and their teams to a high standard.
Utility Partners of America Donates Laptops to Support Community Outreach
Utility Partners of America recently donated 15 laptops to First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, supporting the church’s efforts to expand access to technology within the local community.
Welcome our New CEO
Utility Partners of America (UPA), a national utility contractor, has appointed André Foster as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Leadership Training in Utility Construction: Empowering Teams for Success
In the fast-paced world of utility construction, effective leadership is critical.
Metering insights
How UPA’s Call Center Supports Utility Meter Exchange Programs
UPA offers U.S.-based, enterprise-grade utility call center services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Five Outcomes of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Lifecycle Management
UPA built AMI Lifecycle Management to manage metering infrastructure after the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) installation ends.
The Case for Proactive Meter and Communication Module Replacement
Why planned replacement programs covering meters and communication modules outperform reactive ones across gas, water, and electric systems.
Utility operations
How UPA Executes Field Operations at Scale, Powered by Ensight Plus
Consistency depends on a committed workforce paired with reliable systems.
Winter Weather Readiness for Utility Field Operations
Winter weather brings challenges such as low temperatures, ice, reduced daylight, and schedule disruptions to utility field operations.
Upgrading Electric Distribution for the Digital Age
As cities expand, their energy needs also increase.
Private Locating for Utilities and Municipalities
When managing infrastructure projects, accurate utility location is essential for safety, efficiency, and compliance.
Top 5 Reasons Why Suburban Communities Are Upgrading to Smart Gas Meters
Suburban communities across the U.S. are growing fast, and so are the demands on their utility infrastructure.
World Water Day 2025
Each year, World Water Day highlights the importance of protecting our most valuable resource.
Inventory Management in Utility Construction
In utility construction, inventory management is essential for maintaining project schedules and controlling costs.
Spreading Generosity This Holiday Season
As December draws to a close, the holiday spirit inspires warmth, joy, and a sense of community.
Recycling in Utility Construction: A Sustainable Approach for Water, Gas and Electric Meters
In the fast-paced world of utility construction, where efficiency meets innovation, sustainability is becoming an increasingly vital consideration.
Safety and field operations
How UPA is Building a Culture of Driver Safety
Every day, long before a job site is active, UPA crews are already on the road, traveling through residential neighborhoods, active construction zones, and shared public roads to do work that keeps communities running.
Utility Partners of America Takes the Lead on 811 Safety Education in South Carolina.
Utility Partners of America (UPA) hosted the SC811 Legislation Update & Utility Safety Summit on February 11, 2026, at The Vault at Taylors Mill in Taylors, South Carolina.
A Field-Level Perspective on Lineman Safety
Working on power lines, whether overhead or underground, is one of the most hazardous roles in the utility industry.
Winter Safety Tips for Utility Construction Crews
As winter brings snowstorms, high winds, and cold temperatures, outdoor utility crews face challenges that can impact both safety and productivity.
6 Key Areas of Safety Management for Utility Construction
6 Key Areas of Safety Management for Utility Construction
Project milestones
SMUD: UPA Reports About 191,000 Meter Replacements
By UPA’s count, its crews installed about 191,000 Itron Riva meters for SMUD through March 2026. SMUD’s own tracker showed 192,091 meters installed across the program by March 31, 2026.
National Grid MA: Program Passes 500,000 Smart Meters
National Grid’s Massachusetts smart-meter program passed 500,000 electric meters in April 2026, counting every installer. Utility Partners of America (UPA) is one of National Grid’s installation vendors, and National Grid doesn’t publish UPA’s share.
Tucson Water AMI Project Officially Kicks Off
Tucson Water’s AMI deployment began on March 2, 2026. UPA’s announcement describes a first phase of about 45,000 meters, which is the plan for that phase rather than a count of meters installed.
Utility Partners of America Announces Partnership with DVI Grid Solutions
Greer, SC – February 26, 2026 – Utility Partners of America (UPA), a provider of utility infrastructure services nationwide, is proud to announce its partnership with DVI Grid Solutions (DVI), a Dominion Energy company.
UPA Meter Upgrade Milestone
By UPA’s count, its crews installed 988,539 electric meters and 309,534 gas modules for LG&E and KU from September 2022 through December 2025. The Kentucky Public Service Commission recorded 1,358,964 meters and modules across all installers when the program finished.
Utility Meter Upgrade Projects – Best Practices and Risk
Risk management plays a critical role in ensuring meter upgrade projects are safe, efficient, and successful.
The Importance of Pre-Deployment Planning Workshops in Utility Construction Projects
Utility construction projects involve significant investments of time, money, and resources.
Buyer guides
How to Choose the Right Partner for Your AMI Installation Project
A practical way to compare AMI installation contractors: similar programs you can check, honest meter counts, customer communication and qualifications for your scope.
Older articles
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