With the success of a pilot program started late last year which put debit meters in two public schools, the American Samoa Power Authority has added four more schools to the list, with additional schools to be included over the next two months.

The pilot program was first revealed when ASPA executive director Utu Abe Malae testified last September before the Fono joint budget hearing, when he was asked by one of the senators if there was the possibility of having debit meters installed in government facilities, especially in the schools, in an effort to reduce costs.

During the hearing, Utu revealed that this issue had been discussed with the ASG Treasurer and that certain schools had been selected for a “pilot” program using debit meters.

Samoa News learned this week that the pilot program for debit meters at public schools has in fact begun already. Utu confirmed Tuesday that ASPA piloted four schools to start with: Alataua Lua Elementary School at Nua & Se’etaga and Siliaga Elementary in Aoloau last November; followed by Peter Tali Coleman Elementary in Pago Pago in March this year, along with Leatele Elementary in Fagasa.

Four more schools were added this month: Aua, Afono, Lauli’i, Masefau and Matatula, according to Utu, who also provided ASPA information, which shows a large reduction in electric use for the first four schools using debit meters.

For example, at Siliaga Elementary —which sees the largest drop — there was a 74% reduction from $2,355 a month to $619; Alataua Lua saw a 10% reduction from $1,249 a month to $1,127; Leatele saw a 33% reduction from $3,745 to $2,521 while Peter Coleman Elementary had a 23% reduction from $1,636 to $1,260.

Asked how ASPA is getting paid for the debit meters (they are prepaid electric meters), Utu said Treasury Department cuts ASPA a check for six-months of estimated electricity consumption.

The ASPA CEO also said ASPA plans to expand the program to more schools as well as to DOE offices in the Tafuna area. “We hope to add another 20 accounts in the next two months,” he said.

Utu pointed out that this is a good program for all ASG accounts — especially for those that are funded by local revenue, such as the Fono and the Office of Samoan Affairs.

Debit meters have been used mainly by residential customers thus far, and this service allows customers to monitor their electric use on a daily or weekly basis. Samoa News has been told by ASPA’s customers that they have found their electric bill to be lower compared to when they were billed monthly, while they are considered lifesavers by those in the business of rental properties — debit meters allow the owners of the properties to not be ‘on the hook’ for past due power usage.

Samoa News also notes that debit meter usage does not eliminate the minimum water fee, nor solid waste fees. ASPA collects these monthly fees when you go to ‘add on’ to your debit meter.