PPL Electric Utilities customers will each be paying about $2.79 a month extra for new electric meters the company plans to install between 2017 and 2019.

PPL has asked the Public Utilities Commission for permission to replace 1.4 million meters. Replacing the meters, along with the necessary communications and computer systems upgrades, is expected to cost about $450 million.The new meters will give customers access to additional energy-saving tools for their homes or businesses. They also will improve service reliability through better detection of power outages, PPL says.The new meters will also bring PPL into full compliance with state-mandated regulations on metering technology."Our electric meters are approaching the end of their useful life, and we want to be proactive in replacing them," said Robert M. Geneczko, vice president-customer services. "Technology has changed significantly since these meters were installed, and we're lookingforward to the expanded capabilitiesthat will create benefits for ourcustomers."Customers would not see an immediate effect on their bills. Charges for the new meters would be phased in over time beginning in 2015. Charges would then decrease after the installation period. The average residential customer will pay about $2.79 per month over the time the meters are in service, the company said.