California Utility Rate Assistance
- California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) began in 1989 as
result of state legislation. On June
7, 2001, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) raised
the amount of the CARE discount from its historic level of 15
percent to 20 percent, and increased income eligibility levels
from 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines to 175 percent
for all regulated utilities.
In October 2005, eligibility limits were expanded to 200 percent.
See electric
utility restructuring legislation.
- Additionally some municipal utilities have discount programs for
low-income and seniors.
Note: Leveraging reports do not always give a complete statewide
picture. Some resources are not reported through leveraging or are
under reported.
LEVERAGING
2006: $793.4 million
2005: $529.5 million
2004: $453 million
2003: $327 million
2002: $246.1 million
2001: $174.3 million
LEGISLATIVE CODE
California
Public Utilities Code, sec. 739.1-739.2
Page Last Updated: March 22, 2007
