District of Columbia Utility Restructuring Legislation
Legislation Cite and Date
Order No. 11876
Omnibus Utility Emergency Amendment Act of 2005
Low-Income Provisions
"...establish a universal service program to assist low-income customers in the District of Columbia with their respective energy bills as well as programs to promote energy efficiency, and the use of electricity from renewable energy sources." Mandated a Reliable Energy Trust Fund (RETF) to pay for universal service, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
The Omnibus Utility Emergency Amendment Act of 2005 was signed into law January 28, 2005. The Act establishes a Natural Gas Trust Fund (NGTF) to promote energy efficiency and provide assistance to low-income natural gas customers.
Low-Income Rate Assistance
The RETF helps support the Residential Aid Discount (RAD), which includes discounts on electricity, gas, telephone and water bills. New programs funded by the RETF and extended through September 2008 will include an expansion of LIHEAP and arrearage forgiveness in conjunction with RAD.
The NGTF, starting January 2006, will support the existing Residential Essential Service (RES), a discount rate for qualified Washington Gas customers that was established in 1986.
Low-Income Conservation
Households eligible for the above RAD discounts may also participate in the RETF low-income weatherization program, which includes an in-home energy audit, basic weatherization measures and appliance replacement.
The NGTF supports two low-income programs: Heating System Repair Replacement and Tune-Up and Energy Awareness Campaign.
Annual Funding (2008)
Rate Assistance: $1.5 million
Conservation: $3.9 million
Funding Mechanism
RETF: non-bypassable charge, $.0001 per kWh, on non-RAD electric customers
NGTF: non-bypassable charge, 0.0055 per therm on non-RES natural gas customers
Administration
District Department of the Environment, the LIHEAP grantee and WAP grantee
Pre-Restructuring Funding
Rate Assistance: $1.4 million
Conservation: None
Page Last Updated: March 31, 2008
