Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 58 - RESIDENTIAL LOW INCOME USAGE REDUCTION PROGRAMS › Section 58.4 - Program funding

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General guidelines for gas utilities.
Annual funding for a
				  covered natural gas utility's usage reduction program shall be at least .2% of
				  a covered utility's jurisdictional revenues. Covered gas utilities shall submit
				  annual program budgets to the Commission. A covered gas utility will continue
				  to fund its usage reduction program at this level until the Commission acts
				  upon a petition from the utility for a different funding level, or until the
				  Commission reviews the need for program services and revises the funding level
				  through a Commission order that addresses the recovery of program costs in
				  utility rates. Proposed funding revisions that would involve a reduction in
				  program funding shall include public notice found acceptable by the
				  Commission's Bureau of Consumer Services, and the opportunity for public input
				  from affected persons or entities.
(b)
General guidelines for electric
				  utilities.
A target annual funding level for a covered electric
				  utility is computed at the time of the Commission's initial approval of the
				  utility's proposed program. A covered electric utility shall continue funding
				  the program at that level until the Commission acts upon a petition from the
				  utility for a revised funding level, or until the Commission reviews the need
				  for program services and revises the funding level through a Commission order
				  that addresses the recovery of program costs in utility rates. Proposed funding
				  revisions that would involve a reduction in program funding shall include
				  public notice found acceptable by the Commission's Bureau of Consumer Services,
				  and the opportunity for public input from affected persons or
				  entities.
(c)
Guidelines
				  for revising program funding.
A revision to a covered utility's
				  program funding level is to be computed based upon factors listed in this
				  section. These factors are the following:
(1)
				  The number of eligible customers that could be provided cost-effective usage
				  reduction services. The calculation shall take into consideration the number of
				  customer dwellings that have already received, or are not otherwise in need of,
				  usage reduction services.
(2)
				  Expected customer participation rates for eligible customers. Expected
				  participation rates shall be based on historical participation rates when
				  customers have been solicited through approved personal contact
				  methods.
(3) The total expense of
				  providing usage reduction services, including costs of program measures,
				  conservation education expenses and prorated expenses for program
				  administration.
(4) A plan for
				  providing program services within a reasonable period of time, with
				  consideration given to the contractor capacity necessary for provision of
				  services and the impact on utility rates.