AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY RATES.

Utility delivery discounts for low-income households

Delaware’s Public Service Commission can approve electric and natural gas discounts for low-income households when in the public interest. The discount is 20% of standard residential delivery costs, not the whole utility bill. Eligibility is checked annually based on participation in, or eligibility for, a Division of Social Services means-tested program. Utilities can share applicant information with the Department of Health and Social Services only with written or electronic consent. Consent must be renewed at each annual eligibility check, and the department tells utilities whether applicants qualify. Participating utilities must explain the rate through bill inserts and give approved customers energy-efficiency information and referrals, such as Energize Delaware. Utilities must defer discount credits and added administrative costs for recovery through the low-income program fund. Utilities outside that fund recover costs through other means, with annual Commission review and reconciliation. Regulated utilities cannot earn a return on those deferred costs. The Commission reviews the discount every five years to decide whether to renew its approval.