Colorado Energy Assistance Legislation Vetoed
Legislation that would have raised an additional $10 million for
low-income energy assistance in Colorado has been vetoed by Governor
Bill Owens. HB 1225, the Low- Income Energy Assistance Act, would
have imposed a 25-cent monthly surcharge to both the gas and electric
portions of residential utility bill and businesses would have been
assessed $10 per month.
The legislation included an "opt-out" provision allowing
customers to request to be exempted from the charge. It also required
utilities to clearly identify the surcharge and provide a toll-free
number that customers could call if they wanted to opt out of paying
the fee.
The legislation was spearheaded by Energy
Outreach Colorado (EOC), a nonprofit created to raise funds
to address the state's low-income energy needs. EOC currently
operates an "opt in" program that asks for voluntary donations
through flyers included with customers' monthly utility bills. EOC
director Skip Arnold said HB 1225 was supported by a diverse coalition
spanning many political, corporate, social and other interests.
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Governor disliked the
opt-out provision because he believes that consumers should be charged
for only those products or services they expressly request. Opponents
of the bill had called it a tax.
Owens said he would work with Energy Outreach Colorado to find other
ways to provide the funds needed for low-income Coloradans to pay
their energy bills.
Source: Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News
Page Last Updated: October 23, 2007
