(May 6, 2010) - Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division is seeking residential customers to volunteer for the three-year Smart Grid Demonstration, which will bring advanced electric meters, communications and more detailed energy information to 1,000 households within Shelby County in 2010.

You can live anywhere in Shelby County to participate, provided your area has adequate cellular coverage. If you rent your home, you must have lived in your home at least three years to participate in the project.

MLGW will select 1,000 households at random from volunteer applications. Each home will receive a free advanced electric meter—which means no more estimated reads due to weather or property access issues, and no more calling to report a power outage as the meter will communicate directly with MLGW. Some homes also will receive a free in-home energy display. Participants with Internet access will be able to view information in a new section of MLGW's My Account Web service.

The application deadline is Friday, May 14, 2010. If you are selected, you will be notified by early June. All volunteers are required to participate in MLGW surveys to provide feedback about their experience.

To access the application and learn more about Smart Grid, visit: www.mlgw.com/smartgrid

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 429,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County. A January 2010 survey showed that MLGW has the fifth lowest electric rates in the nation.