Massachusetts State Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance
- State and local agencies have negotiated low-income discounts
with major gas and electric utilities as part of rate cases since
1980.In 1997, the Massachusetts legislature passed restructuring
legislation that requires
distribution companies to continue discounts to eligible low-income
customers. The legislation also codified and expanded eligibility
for existing utility discounts so that households earning up to
175 percent of poverty would be eligible (200 percent effective December 2005). All of the state's
regulated electric and gas utilities provide low-income discounts
ranging from 11 to 43 percent. See electric
restructuring updates.
LEVERAGING
2006: $52.5 million
2005: $42.6 million
2004: $42.5 million
2003: $46 million
2002: $35.7 million
2001: $32.9 million
2000: $29.2 million
1999: $32.7 million
1998: $33.6 million
1997: $37.5 million
1996: $37.7 million
1995: $38 million
1994: $37.3 million
1993: $35 million
1992: $35 million
1991: $15.3 million
LEGISLATIVE CODE
1997, MA General Laws, Chapter
164, Section 1F
Page Last Updated: March 26, 2007
