As part of its efforts to improve service in the Manu’a island group, the American Samoa Power Authority has extended debit meters to Tau, Ofu and Olosega islands.

In past years, Manu’a lawmakers urged ASPA to extend debit meter service to their constituents so residents there get the same service available to Tutuila residents. And ASPA has now expanded debit meters to more than 100 homes and businesses in the island group.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, in his State of the Territory Address, says debit meters have been available on Tutuila and Aunu’u for some time and now ASPA has extended this service to the Manu’a Islands.

A total of 181 debit meters have been installed in Manu’a, which is 65% of the overall residential and commercial customers in the Manu’a Islands, according to the governor, adding that debit meter customers in Manu’a can purchase scratch cards to refill their meters at the local stores without having to come to Tutuila to buy power.

“It is our hope to install the remaining 35% of the customers in early 2015,” he said.

The governor also pointed out that debit meters have also been installed at the Department of Education facilities, saying that DOE is the largest user of electricity and is prone to wasteful use of electrical energy.

Thus the decision was made to install debit meters to all DOE facilities aimed at regulating and monitoring electric consumption. There are over 50 DOE schools buildings and offices that currently have a debit meter.

“Schools that are currently on a debit meter have realized savings and a drop in their usage. School officials are doing a better job with monitoring their usage and turning off lights and air conditioning units after hours,” he said.