DALLAS — Oncor wants the Public Utility Commission to let it charge customers $93 million for “smart” meters that don't comply with state regulations.

Oncor said it was trying to reduce electric bills when it purchased 898,000 remote-controlled meters. The Dallas company began buying the automated meters in 2004, one year before it knew what kind the PUC would require.

The Dallas Morning News reported some customers said it's unfair for them to have to pay for Oncor's mistakes.

Two administrative law judges this week called Oncor's meter purchases imprudent.

The judges recommended Oncor recover part of the costs, $54 million for meters ordered before the PUC announced when it would set the standards.

Oncor spokesman Chris Schein said the company would have faced criticism if it had not moved forward and other states started using advanced meters.

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