DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STATE PUBLIC BENEFIT FUNDS FOR RATE ASSISTANCE

The Universal Service Discount (USD) Program was established through the enactment of the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999. The USDP discounts went into effect June 2001 and were added to those provided by the Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program. Additional discounts from the USD program apply to the first 400 kWh for RAD standard customers and to the first 700 kWh for RAD all-electric customers. Residential Essential Service (RES) offers discount rates to eligible Washington Gas customers during the winter months from November through April. The amount of the discount is based on household size and income level. The D.C. State Energy Office, the LIHEAP grantee, performs outreach, determines customer eligibility and refers potential clients to the utility.

See electric utility restructuring.

LEVERAGING

2002: $744,000 (electric) $534,000 (gas)
2001: $837,000 (electric) $624,000 (gas)
2000: $1.4 million (electric and gas utility discounts: 2000 and before)
1999: $1.3 million
1997: $1.6 million
1996: $1.5 million
1995: $1.6 million
1994: $2 million
1993: $1.5 million
1992: $1.4 million
1991: $1.4 million