Low-Income Program Continued in New York

The New York Public Service Commission on March 16 approved a three-year electric rate plan for Consolidated Edison, which serves New York City and Westchester County. The plan continues the utility’s electric Low Income Plan with funding at $37.5 million for the three-year period beginning April 1, 2005. The previous low-income program was approved in October 2000.

The plan provides eligible low-income customers a discount on the customer charge portion of their monthly electric bill, which is $10.85 for non-participants. However, some advocates noted that under the newly approved plan, low- income households will pay a customer charge of $6 per month, whereas under the previous program they paid $5. Also, under the previous program, the discount was available to households enrolled in LIHEAP and several other means- tested programs; the new program reduces the number of qualifying programs. During FY 2004 about $6 million in discounts was provided to over 174,000 LIHEAP households.

Source: New York PSC press release and newspapers

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005