To encourage consumers to take control of their energy use and to modernize the electric grid. It’s time for electricity to enter the Internet age. Imagine filling up your car's gas tank without knowing how much gas you bought or how much you spent until getting a bill weeks later. Smart meters can help show consumers how much electricity they are using and how much they are spending on it as they use it, which can encourage them to save energy, which is good for the environment. Smart meters will also notify CenterPoint Energy automatically when your power goes out, which along with the intelligent grid could help us restore power sooner.