Mock utility billing aims to conserve

Mock utility billing aims to conserve

Oct 06, 2004 DEFENSE DEPARTMENT/ContentWorks

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 5, 2004) -- Some families in new privatized housing on Army installations may notice technicians reading their utility meters beginning this month.

The meters are being read to determine an average monthly consumption rate for electricity, gas and heating oil, officials said.

Eventually, military families living in privatized housing on post will become responsible for their utilities, said Don Spigelmyer, director of the Residential Communities Initiative, which has privatized housing at 12 Army installations.

The utility billing will probably take place in 2006 after average consumption rates are computed and Soldiers have had a year of "mock" bills that reflect their usage, Spigelmyer said. When actual billing begins, those families that use less than the average rate will earn a rebate, he said, and those who use more will need to pay the difference.

"If you conserve, you can save money," said Ivan Bolden, RCI program manager for policy.

Families in the new and renovated privatized housing at six installations will start receiving "mock" utility bills early next year, Bolden said. These mock bills will only help residents track their use of energy, Bolden explained, and will not involve any payment for the first year.

Along with the mock bills, families will also receive monthly energy tips and training on how to be more "energy efficient."

Under the one-year mock billing program, residents will have the chance to see how much energy they're using and make improvements, if necessary, before they become responsible for consumption, Bolden said.

Installations participating in the mock billing program include: Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Meade, Md.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; and Fort Campbell, Ky.

Under RCI, a portion of Soldiers' Basic Allowance for Housing is used as payment for utilities. Beginning in 2006, Soldiers in privatized housing who use less than the average amount of utilities will be rewarded with rebates once their energy conservation exceeds a savings of $50.

Those who go over their average will be billed when the outstanding balance reaches $50. If a Soldier and his or her family use utilities in a conscientious manner, their BAH should cover all costs -- rent and utilities -- in privatized housing, Spigelmyer said.

DoD established the policy to conserve energy and track usage, said Rhonda Hayes, deputy director of the Army's RCI program. In the future, she said all of the military services will hold residents in privatized housing responsible for their utility usage.

"They felt the only way to bring about conservation was to make the user responsible," Hayes said, adding that there would be no incentive otherwise.

Just like the off-post person is responsible (for utilities), the person living on post in privatized housing will be responsible too," Bolden said.

Only new and renovated houses will receive the mock bills, Bolden said, because these homes are energy efficient, or "energy-star compliant," which he said is the industry term.

The majority of old quarters are not individually metered, Bolden said, so it would be difficult to gauge usage or bill residents.

Under the RCI program, more than 37,000 family housing units at a dozen installations have been turned over to private developers. The companies manage the housing and collect rent through Soldiers' Basic Allowance for Housing. In return, the companies promise to maintain and renovate existing homes and build new housing.

"It's all about providing quality housing for the

Soldiers and their families and using our nation's energy in a wise manner," Bolden said.

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