Army Families Not Responsible for Utility Bills Army News Service November 23, 2004 WASHINGTON - Despite what an official called confusing news reports, Army families in privatized housing will not be responsible for utility bills until at least the spring of 2006. Technicians began reading utility meters last month for new and remodeled privatized housing at some installations, said Ivan Bolden, Residential Communities Initiative Program Manager for Policy. Under RCI, about 40,000 family housing units at 15 installations have been turned over to private developers. Bolden said the meters are being installed to collect data to determine a monthly allocation for utilities that will be supported by soldier Soldier basic allowance for housing or BAH/rental payments. The data will be reviewed in March 2005, Bolden said, and then a "mock utility billing" program will begin sometime thereafter. The mock billing period will accomplish several things: First first it will help residents track their usage and consumption patterns; Second residents will receive monthly tips on how to conserve; and finally, they will be offered training to help families learn to be more energy efficient, Bolden said. The mock billing program is scheduled to last a year, Bolden said. After this period, he said the Army will make adjustments (if needed) to the program and then begin the phase where Ssoldiers will be responsible for excessive use of their utilities. Even after billing begins, good conservation will mean that most families will not be required to send in payments, Bolden said. Only those who use more than the average for that area and house type will need to pay the difference, he explained. Families that use less than the allocated rate may, in fact, earn a rebate, Bolden said. "If you conserve, you can save money," he said. Installations participating in the mock utility billing program include: - Fort Carson, Colo. - Fort Hood, Texas - Fort Meade, Md. - Fort Bragg, N.C. - Fort Stewart, Ga. - Fort Campbell, Ky. For more information on the program, see "Mock utility billing aims to conserve."

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