Puget Sound Energy announced Monday that the utility’s customers will get a one-time credit applied toward their winter power bills.

The credit, which will be on December and January bills, will save the average residential electric customer about $40, PSE said.

Every current PSE electric customer — residential and business — will get the credit. The credit passes along the financial benefit of sale of PSE’s assets in Jefferson County in 2010.

The total amount to be paid to PSE customers will be $59.2 million, which includes interest that has accrued since the sale.

PSE said customers do not have to ask for the credit; it will automatically appear on their billing statements. Most customers will see a portion of the credit on their December statement, and the remainder on their January bill.

According to PSE, the credits will be based on electricity used during the month of December.

The payout was approved earlier this month by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.