PUC Adopts Utility Discounts for Needy
The California Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday voted to create a program to provide low-income residential utility customers with discounted gas and electric rates, as ordered by a state law passed earlier this year.
The commission’s vote set eligibility requirements for customers to qualify for the discounts, which are expected to become effective Nov. 1, the beginning of the winter heating season.
The commission will decide the actual amount of the discounts at a meeting in September, a spokeswoman said.
To qualify for the discounts, a customer’s household income cannot exceed certain levels. For most utility customers, eligibility would be limited to households with an annual income of no more than $13,000 for one to two people, $15,200 for three people, $18,300 for four people and $3,000 more for each additional person.
Utilities will begin notifying customers of the program in August and September bill inserts.
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