District of Columbia Public Benefit Funds for Energy Efficiency

The District of Columbia's electric restructuring legislation mandated a Reliable Energy Trust Fund (RETF) to pay for universal service, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Households eligible for the Residential Aid Discount can also participate in the RETF low-income weatherization program. The Commission approved two-year pilot programs with continued funding of $1.1 million for the existing Weatherization Plus program and new funding of $1.4 million for a refrigerator and air conditioner replacement program and $1 million for the new Weatherization-Rehabilitation program.

Under the Natural Gas Trust Fund (NGTF), $244,100 was allocated in 2006 for a heating system repair/replace/tune up pilot. The Omnibus Utility Emergency Amendment Act of 2005 that was signed into law January 28, 2005 established the NGTF to promote energy efficiency and provide assistance to low-income natural gas customers. The NGTF is funded through a non-bypassable charge of 0.0055 per therm on natural gas residential customer bills.

See electric utility restructuring.

Page Last Updated: July 12, 2007