Summary of Raised Bill No. 460

• Department of Public Utility Control shall conduct a proceeding by June 30, 2011 to develop discounted rates for low-income customers of gas and electric distribution companies.

• Discounted rates must consider indigency and poverty status to allow low-income households to meet essential energy needs, with home energy audits required as a qualification prerequisite.

• Gas and electric companies must file proposed low-income rates within 60 days of the department's decision and conduct annual outreach to eligible customers with reporting requirements.

• Costs of discounted rates and outreach activities shall be recovered through semiannual charges: electric companies through systems benefits charges and gas companies through public benefits charges applied to all other customers.

• Department of Public Utility Control must report to the joint standing committee on energy by July 1, 2012 regarding benefits, costs, and any recommended modifications to the discounted rate program.