The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is requiring that all businesses and residents institute the new digital metering system to reduce electricity usage. This mandatory initiative from the state of Texas will take effect starting in March 2009 and continue over the next 5 years. Electricity customers throughout Texas will have the opportunity to change the way their electric usage is measured.

Starting in February 2009, each residential customer will be charged a monthly fee related to this new system. CenterPoint (Houston area) customers will be charged an additional $3.24 on their electricity monthly bill for the next 24 months. After this period, the additional charge will be $3.05 for the following ten years. For residential Oncor (Dallas area) customers the charges will $2.21 each month for the next 11 years.

The new Advanced Metering System (AMS) will allow customers to keep track of their energy consumption every 15 minutes and provide a better understanding on how to manage electric use and make changes in energy consumption. It is expected that residential customers can save 5 to 10 percent in electricity usage which is equivalent to a $4.00 to $18.00 monthly savings on your electric bill.

For more information visit www.smarttexas.com for Oncor (Dallas area) customers or www.centerpointenergy.com for CenterPoint (Houston area) customers.