District of Columbia Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

The Universal Service Discount Program (USDP) was established through the enactment of the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999. The USDP discounts went into effect June 2001 and were added to those provided by the Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program to include customers who do not have electric space heating. Those customers receive a 63 percent discount on the first 400 kWhs in summer months (June - October) and a 32 percent discount on the first 400 kWhs in winter months (November - April) for a total savings of $102 per year. Eligible all-electric customers receive a $20 per month discount year-round and save $240.

Residential Essential Service (RES) offers discount rates to eligible Washington Gas customers during the winter months from November through April. The amount of the discount is based on household size and income level. The D.C. State Energy Office, the LIHEAP grantee, performs outreach, determines customer eligibility and refers potential clients to the utility.

During the 2003 program year, annual savings through the RAD program amounted to about $1.4 million and $491,000 for the RES program.

See electric utility restructuring.

LEVERAGING

2002: $744,000 (electric) $534,000 (gas)
2001: $837,000 (electric) $624,000 (gas)
2000: $1.4 million (electric and gas utility discounts: 2000 and before)
1999: $1.3 million
1997: $1.6 million
1996: $1.5 million
1995: $1.6 million
1994: $2 million
1993: $1.5 million
1992: $1.4 million
1991: $1.4 million

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005