HB 116

Abstract

This Act provides the Public Service Commission with the flexibility to consider and approve a discounted gas or electric residential utility rate for qualified low-income customers (those eligible to participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), provided the discount is 20% of standard residential distribution rates. This permits low-income customers to receive utility distribution services at a lower cost. The cost of credits and incremental administrative costs to manage the program would be deferred to a regulatory asset and recovered via a surcharge applicable to all customer classes. A utility offering a discounted low-income rate is responsible for annually determining customer eligibility. The Public Service Commission must review any discount rate approved under this Act every five years to determine if the discount rate should be re-authorized.