2008 Affordable Energy Bargain Program Plan — H-7877
To ensure that all of Rhode Island households have access to a necessary supply of electric and natural gas service, we need an “Affordable Energy Bargain,” where low-income households that make regular, affordable utility and fuel oil payments received a basic block of service, reduce and eliminate arrearages, and are free from the threat of service termination. Components of the Affordable Energy Bargain include:
» TRULY AFFORDABLE PAYMENT PLAN
- All households eligible to receive a LIHEAP benefit should be eligible to participate in the Affordable Energy Bargain.
- Program Participants bear the same household energy burden as the median income household.
- Household contributes to bills at the same rates as the median income household, LIHEAP benefits are added, then utility discounts fill the gap.
» ARREARAGE MANAGEMENT
- Structure that reduces outstanding arrearages and utility collection costs while providing customers with incentives to make regular, affordable monthly payments.
- Program Participants making timely monthly payments of bills under the Affordable Payment Plan would have all outstanding arrears written down over a period of 36 months.
» STABLE, ADEQUATE FUNDING
- Monthly charges on the bills of all electric and natural gas customers devoted to funding the Affordable Energy Bargain.
- Surcharge on fuel oil sales to fund protection of low-income households heating with fuel oil.
- State Appropriations to supplement federal LIHEAP allocations.