HB 4846

Abstract

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that every public utility that provides gas or electric service to residential customers as primary or secondary sources of heating or cooling must report all of the following information annually in writing to the Illinois Commerce Commission: (1) the number of accounts that are past due each month, (2) the aggregate amount of past due balances each month, (3) the number of disconnection notices issued to residential customers each month, (4) the number of residential customers disconnected each month, (5) the number of residential customers eligible for emergency services under the Energy Assistance Act each year, and (6) the aggregate amount of arrears that are written off as bad business debt each year. Requires a utility to reconnect service to LIHEAP-eligible households whose service was disconnected for nonpayment if the consumer (i) pays 20% of the outstanding bill for the household or $250, whichever is less or (ii) agrees to a payment plan negotiated with the public utility by the local area agency on behalf of the consumer. Requires an electric or gas public utility to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan established under the Energy Assistance Act and establish and implement an arrearage reduction program for consumers who are participating in the Plan. Provides that, if a public utility writes off uncollectable account arrearages as a bad business debt on its State or federal income tax return, the utility shall cease all collection activities for that debt and write the indebtedness off of its books. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to institute a Percentage of Income Payment Plan to ensure the availability of heating, cooling, and electric service to low income citizens. Requires that the Plan be in operation by November 1, 2005. Authorizes the Department to enter into contracts and other agreements with local agencies for the purpose of administering the Plan. Provides that monies in the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund be used to to fund the Plan. Effective immediately.