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Universal Services Offered for Poverty Level Residential Consumers by Exelon Corporation’s Distribution Utilities A. Karen Hill Vice President Federal.

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Presentation on theme: "Universal Services Offered for Poverty Level Residential Consumers by Exelon Corporation’s Distribution Utilities A. Karen Hill Vice President Federal."— Presentation transcript:

1 Universal Services Offered for Poverty Level Residential Consumers by Exelon Corporation’s Distribution Utilities A. Karen Hill Vice President Federal Regulatory Affairs Exelon Corporation April 2006 Romanian Energy Program, Phase III (REP3)

2 2 About Exelon Corporation Exelon is a holding company headquartered in Chicago, IL Exelon owns – –Commonwealth Edison, a public utility that serves 3.3 million retail electric customers in northern Illinois –PECO Energy Company, a public utility that serves 1.5 million retail electric and 450,000 retail natural gas customers in the Philadelphia, PA area –Exelon Generation Company, a public utility company that owns or controls nearly 39,000 MW of generation and that sells power to wholesale customers

3 3 Exelon’s Programs to Assist Consumers to Pay Energy Bills Government funded – –Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) – federal grants administered by states paid to utilities Utility rate funded – –Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation – public assistance –CAP Rate – discounted utility rates –Low Income Usage Reduction Program – conservation Privately funded – –Matching Energy Assistance Fund –Utility Emergency Services Fund

4 4 Eligibility Based On Federal Poverty Levels -- 2004 US Census Bureau Poverty Level Guidelines Size of Family 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maximum Annual Income $9,310 $12,490 $15,670 $18,850 $22,030 $25,210 $28,390 $31,570

5 5 Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services CARES provides social service assistance Referral to appropriate assistance programs Residential customers with temporary hardship – personal or financial –divorce, injury or illness, death in family, disability, job loss Unable to pay utility bill Intended to address health and safety concerns relating to utility service

6 6 CARES -- Implementation Utility identifies customer with payment problem that is potentially eligible for assistance –Poverty level income or senior citizen –Income from government assistance and –Payment problem based on temporary or extenuating circumstance Utility assigns case worker to help direct customer to appropriate program for assistance with bill paying, energy usage reduction, other social services

7 7 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP LIHEAP benefits have three components –Cash benefits are paid to provider of heating fuel –Crisis benefits are made to resolve heating emergency such as shut-off or being out of fuel –Weatherization help with repairs, insulating and weatherizing homes to reduce energy consumption LIHEAP funding –Federal block grants to states –State funds –Private donations

8 8 LIHEAP -- Implementation Current federal funding is $3 billion – highest ever Nearly 6 million people receive LIHEAP assistance Federal funds allocated to states according to formula –Poor population – 135% of federal poverty level –Heating degree days –Energy expenditures State and local agencies identify eligible consumers State and local agencies distribute funds to utilities Grant is one-time only for consumers

9 9 CAP Rate Program -- Overview Description – Sliding scale discount residential utility rate Applied – to 500 kWh of electric monthly bill and 100 ccf of gas monthly bill Eligibility – –Poor – income up to 150% of federal poverty rate –Problems paying energy bills Funded – included in utility’s revenue requirement for recovery in rates

10 10 CAP Rate Program – Eligibility Requirements Applicants complete application Provide proof of income Participate in energy education and conservation programs Sign up for government-funded energy assistance programs Assign government-funded grants to utility company Pay bills on time

11 11 CAP Rate Program – Enrollment Process Customer is identified by utility Customer applies with necessary proof of income Income verified with state or employer Customer enrolled in CAP and budget program If customer pays timely for 6 months pre-program arrearage is forgiven Customer recertified periodically – annually or every two years

12 12 CAP Rate Income Requirements Exelon RateMonthskWh LevelChargeBudgetSupplier A Annual Income: 0-25% of the FPL with Extenuating Circumstances present Income verification is required yearly RAll 0 to 1000$12 per month total A budget is mandatory for this rate The customer cannot have an alternate supplier 1001 to 1500 50% discount (CAP Rate D) over 150at Rate R RHOct – Jun0 to 2000$30 per month total over 2000at CAP Rate D Jul – Sep0 to 1000$30 per month total over 1000At CAP Rate D CAP Rate Program – Detailed Implementation

13 13 CAP Rate Income Requirements Exelon RateMonthskWh LevelChargeBudgetSupplier B Annual Income: 0-25% of the FPL with Extenuating Circumstances present Income verification is required yearly ROct – Jun 0 to 500 next 100 85% discount 30% discount A budget is mandatory for this rate The customer cannot have an alternate supplier Over 600Rate R Jul – Sep0 to 50085% discount Over 500Rate R RHOct – Jun0 to 500 next 100 85%discount 30% discount Over 600Rate RH Jul – Sep0 to 50085% discount Over 500Rate RH CAP Rate Program – Detailed Implementation

14 14 CAP Rate Income Requirements Exelon RateMonthskWh LevelChargeBudgetSupplier C Annual Income: 26%-50%of the FPL Income verification is required every two years ROct – Jun 0 to 500 next 100 75% discount 30% discount A budget is mandatory for this rate The customer cannot have an alternate supplier Over 600Rate R Jul – Sep0 to 50075% discount Over 500Rate R RHOct – Jun0 to 500 next 100 75% discount 30% discount Over 600Rate RH Jul – Sep0 to 50075% discount Over 500Rate RH CAP Rate Program – Detailed Implementation

15 15 CAP Rate Income Requirements Exelon RateMonthskWh LevelChargeBudgetSupplier D Annual Income: 26%-50% of the FPL Income verification is required every two years RAll 0 to 50050% discountA budget is not required for this rate The customer can have an alternate supplier Over 500Rate R RH Oct – Jun0 to 50050% discount Over 50050% discount Jul – Sep0 to 50050% discount Over 500Rate RH CAP Rate Program – Detailed Implementation

16 16 CAP Rate Income Requirements Exelon RateMonthskWh LevelChargeBudgetSupplier E Annual Income: 101%-150% of the FPL Income verification is required every two years RAll 0 to 50025% discount A budget is not required for this rate The customer can have an alternate supplier Over 500Rate R R Oct – Jun 0 to 50025% discount Over 500Rate RH Jul -- Sep 0 to 50025% discount Over 500Rate RH CAP Rate Program – Detailed Implementation

17 17 Health Related Energy Use Exemption From Limits CAP Rate discounts apply based on usage No discounts above 500 kWh per month Unless, additional usage based on medical necessity, then discount will apply Medical equipment in home for treatment or life sustaining support, for example –Air conditioner –Air purifier –Dehumidifier –Oxygen concentrator

18 18 Low Income Usage Reduction Program Assists low income customers to conserve energy Energy audit Assistance with conservation measures Eligibility –Up to 200 % of federal poverty level –High average usage –Qualified for CAP rate discount

19 19 Low Income Usage Reduction Program -- Implementation Company conducts energy audit Identifies needed conservation measures Enters payment agreement with customer –Costs allocated over extended period up to 5 years –Minimum payment included in utility bill Company contracts for repairs

20 20 Low Income Usage Reduction Program – Conservation Measures Attic vents Caulking Chimney liner Insulation Thermostat Clothes dryer vent Efficient lights Heating system replacement Door replacement Weather stripping Seal holes and penetrations Water heater replacement Refrigerator replacement Low flow showerhead Space heating duct insulation Window air conditioner Rim joist insulation Furnace filter replacement Faucet aerator Education

21 21 Matching Energy Assistance Fund Fund is hardship fuel fund sponsored by utility Contributions by other customers matched by utility Eligibility based on 175% Federal Poverty Level Service termination imminent Maximum grant $500 Grant must reduce account to $0 Customer may be required to make payment

22 22 Utility Emergency Services Fund Private tax exempt non-profit organization assisting low income families with emergency utility needs Donations from private entities matched by utility funds Grants to families to pay utility bills –Under $500 –Shut off status –Applied for LIHEAP funds –At or below 175% of federal poverty level

23 23 Conclusion – Features of Successful Low Income Utility Programs National government funds allocated to local areas on basis on need – population, income and temperature National government fund local distribution via programs administered by local agencies Eligibility criteria applied universally and closely monitored by utility or local agency Payments made directly to utility or other service provider, such as contractor


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