Oncor shows meter tests Posted On: Thursday, Mar. 11 2010 05:31 AM By Hailey Persinger
Killeen Daily Herald

Oncor officials began a campaign this week in hopes of restoring customer confidence in its digital electric meters following a deluge of questions regarding their accuracy.

The Dallas-based electric delivery provider started a month-long side-by-side test of the new technology and old mechanical meters March 5 in homes across Bell County. Oncor officials met Wednesday at the Killeen home of Bobby Grant, one of 24 homeowners who volunteered their homes as testing sites, to demonstrate testing procedures.

Grant, who has lived at his South Killeen home for almost 38 years, said his electric bill, like others' throughout the region, jumped from an average of $400 to more than $750 in January.

While residents with higher-than-normal electric bills like Grant's blame the meters, Jim Greer, Oncor's vice president of asset management and engineering, maintained Wednesday that "the coldest winter in 25 years" is the culprit.

Grant acknowledged that the past winter months were "the coldest winter (he could) remember," but said his bill skyrocketed only after the meters were installed.

Though Grant can pay his bill, he said his concern lies with those who can't.

"My heart goes out to them," he said. "Some of these people are living on fixed income and they're in a world of hurt."

Despite residents' claims that the smart meters were the only issue, Greer said a lack of education on the new technology was also part of the problem. Oncor's education strategy for the rollout includes door hangers, pamphlets and billboards advertising that the new meters are "coming soon" in regions throughout Texas, but Greer said that in hindsight, "there's a lot better things we could do on the education side."

The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved the side-by-side testing March 4 after state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, requested that the agency look into the reason for the mounting complaints. Commissioners told Oncor officials last week that they would conduct additional tests with an outside party within two weeks.

Oncor began testing on 10 of its 24 chosen sites March 5. The remaining 14 meters will go online Friday and Oncor will release their findings weekly to members of the PUC, the public and the media.

Contact Hailey Persinger at haileyp@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7568.