Oncor says they plan to request $200 million in stimulus funds to help pay for their "smart meter" program.
A company spokesperson also tells the Dallas Morning News they'll apply for $117 million to improve the power network that will support these meters and improve system reliability.
"Our first considerations in seeking these stimulus grants are whether the funds will help consumers lower their electric bills or advance smart grid initiatives to improve service and reliability. That’s where we have focused our attention and energy,” said Bob Shapard, chairman and chief executive officer of Oncor.
Currently the Public Utility Commission allows Oncor to charge customers a fee -- $2.21 a month -- to pay for the installation of the new meters. If accepted, the stimulus funds could help reduce the fee customers must pay for meters.
Oncor had recently been brought under fire by consumers who didn't want to pay for smart meters that weren't up to the state's regulatory standards and had to be replaced.
The Public Utility Comission is expected to have a final decision on who pays what later this year.
