District of Columbia Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

The Universal Service Discount Program (USDP) was established through the enactment of the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999. The programs are funded through the Reliable Energy Trust Fund (RETF), a public benefit fund that supports universal service for low-income customers and residential energy efficiency and renewable resources programs.

The RETF funds the ongoing Residential Aid Discount (RAD) expansion and the expanded LIHEAP program. The RAD Expansion increases the availability of the existing discounts to more LIHEAP-eligible PEPCO customers by providing additional funds to PEPCO. The LIHEAP Expansion is an addition to the current LIHEAP program and includes bill payment assistance and educates residents about other energy efficiency programs.

See electric utility restructuring.

LEVERAGING

2004: $1.6 million
2002: $744,000
2001: $837,000

Page Last Updated: April 17, 2008