KENTUCKY UTILITY RATE ASSISTANCE

• A major gas and electric utility has a percent of income payment plan that started in January 1993 and was extended for five more years in January 1997.  The plan allows low-income households to pay 9 percent to11 percent of their income towards bills depending on their income level in relation to federal poverty guidelines. Participants receive a fixed credit on their bills equal to a percentage of their annual income. Part of the fixed credit is applied to arrearages if a participant had arrearages when entering the program.  Average annual subsidy for a successful participant is $600, the average arrearage subsidy is $154 per year.
  
• One major utility has an Experimental Energy Conservation Rate for gas and electric customers who are LIHEAP recipients and who participate in formal conservation and energy education programs. Lower electric rates are available for the first 600 kWh of usage, a higher than standard rate is implemented if usage exceeds 600 kWh. 

LEVERAGING

2001: $1.2 million
1999: $1 million
1998: $945,633
1997: $794,063
1996: $227,840