Montgomery, AL – Over the next three years, Alabama Power plans to phase in new ``smart meters'' for its residential customers. The meters will eventually give consumers more information to help them make decisions about their energy use.
The meters will be attached to an advanced network allowing communication between the utility and the consumer.
Initially, the biggest change consumers will notice is the disappearance of meter readers since the new meters can be read remotely.
All residential Alabama Power customers will have a smart meter by 2011.
Over time, other features will be added, including new rate plans.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)