Bill > HB116

This bill amends Delaware's public utility regulations to allow the Public Service Commission (PSC) to authorize electric and natural gas utilities to offer a discounted rate for low-income residential customers. Specifically, the bill permits utilities to establish a rate that provides a 20% discount from standard residential distribution costs, subject to PSC approval and certain conditions. The utility must determine customer eligibility annually in cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), using means-tested program participation as the qualification criteria. Customers must provide written consent for information sharing between the utility and DHSS. The bill requires utilities offering this low-income rate to include information about the discount in bill inserts and provide referrals to energy efficiency programs like Energize Delaware. Utilities can recover the costs of these discounts through a low-income program fund, with incremental administrative costs being tracked as a regulatory asset without earning a return. The PSC is required to review the discount rate every five years to determine whether it should continue. The underlying purpose of the bill is to help low-income residents afford essential utility services by providing a significant reduction in their monthly bills.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142105