NY A02694

Requires electric and natural gas corporations to establish reduced rate schedules for low-income customers with rate reductions between 25-35% of standard residential rates.

Establishes eligibility for reduced rates based on receipt of benefits from supplemental security income, temporary assistance to needy families, supplemental nutrition assistance program, medical assistance, home energy assistance program, telephone lifeline assistance program, and other approved assistance programs.

Mandates utilities cooperate with social services agencies through privacy-protected data exchanges to efficiently enroll, certify, and recertify eligible customers, and provide application forms on websites, at offices, and through other means.

Requires utilities to provide information about reduced rates to customers at service initiation, in bill inserts, and in communications regarding arrears.

Directs utilities to implement reduced rates by January 1, 2018, with revenue impacts offset through utility overearnings, disallowed rate premiums, uncommitted surcharge funds, and restricted executive compensation, with any remaining costs distributed across all customer classes rather than a single class.