Installation of a citywide Wi-Fi network will improve the city’s public safety communications, mobile emergency response and surveillance needs.

BURLESON, Texas, March 29, 2006—Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), today announced it has entered into a contract with the city of Burleson to construct a wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) network and implement an automatic water meter reading pilot project.

Together, these technologies are designed to benefit the City of Burleson by:

• enhancing operational efficiencies for departments using mobile public safety communications;
• improving cost savings through reduced wireless access expenses;
• curbing water loss and bolstering revenues through the installation of automatic meter reading technology; and,
• creating an opportunity to realize revenues from the sale of Wi-Fi Internet services to residents and businesses.

The pilot project will allow Burleson to test the effectiveness of automatic meter reading (AMR) technology using 30 water meters that have been retrofitted or replaced with wireless transmitting devices. The Wi-Fi-based system will enable city workers to remotely read water meters, saving the time and expense of manually reading the meters. The AMR technology also will provide accurate and more frequent readings that will allow the city to respond to leaks more quickly, thereby curtailing water loss and saving money for ratepayers.

“The implementation of these technologies will mean that citizens of Burleson will realize improved quality and speed of service by city staff,” stated Mark Eder, Burleson’s director of information technology. “Another benefit is the availability of wireless services for laptops and other digital devices in public spaces.”

“The city of Burleson has taken a big step in the right direction,” noted Jim Davis, president, Chevron Energy Solutions. “We fully expect these projects will help the city more effectively manage water conservation efforts and realize substantial operational efficiencies from the new wireless communications and automatic meter reading technologies.”

Chevron Energy Solutions is working with technology partner RedMoon Broadband on the project. RedMoon, Inc.’s unique mesh technology provides Internet access with full coverage, enabling city agencies to access the tools necessary to efficiently handle both emergency and nonemergency situations as well as meter reading, traffic control and surveillance.

“The AMR technology will enable Burleson to reduce meter reading costs, improve the accuracy of readings, support conservation efforts and raise the level of customer service,” said Bryan Thompson, president of RedMoon. “In addition, the Wi-Fi portion of the project will provide residents, businesses and tourists with reliable and secure wireless Internet access.”

Chevron Energy Solutions partners with institutions and businesses to improve facilities, increase efficiency, reduce energy consumption and costs, and ensure reliable, high-quality power for critical operations. Its projects reduce air emissions, extend fuel supplies and enhance indoor environments. The projects are funded by the energy savings they generate, saving taxpayer dollars.

RedMoon, Inc., a leading provider of mobile data networks, builds and maintains city-wide mesh and fixed wireless networks allowing cities, counties and other municipalities the necessary technology to save time, money and lives in everyday tasks. To learn more about RedMoon, visit the company’s Web site at www.redmoonbroadband.com.

# # #

Back to Top