Beginning this summer, Chelan and Douglas County PUDs will join Grant County PUD in offering an optional paperless billing system.

Chelan County PUD Commissioners learned Monday that customers who opt in will receive their monthly utility bills by email and not the paper bills and return envelopes that arrive by regular mail every month.

Nearly 41 percent of Chelan PUD’s power, water and sewer customers paid their bills online last year, up from about 30 percent in mid 2009. Each e-bill will cost 54 cents less to produce and send than a paper bill.

If all 41% of the utility’s current e-bill payers opt in, the PUD would save about $8,500 per month. E-billing is optional, customers who prefer.. may continue to receive their paper bills, which will have a slightly different look starting in May.

A similar system for Douglas County PUD customers is also about two months away.