Ohio State Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance
Mandated by the PUC in 1983, the Percentage of Income Payment
Plan (PIPP) allows qualifying low-income customers of regulated
gas and electric utilities to pay during heating months (November
- April) 10% of the gross monthly household income to the utility
company providing the main heating source and 5% to the utility
company providing the secondary heating source. If the company
provides both gas and electric services or if the customer has
an all-electric home, the payment is 15% of the gross monthly
income. If the household is at or below 50% of the federal poverty
level and the household uses electricity as its secondary source
of heat, the household pays 3% instead of 5% in the winter heating
season only. During the summer months, customers pay the current
bill or the respective percentages, whichever is higher. The shortfall
between the PIPP payment and other energy assistance the customer
may receive and the actual bill is recovered through a ratepayer
surcharge or PIPP rider. Security deposits are waived for PIPP customers and most utilities
have arrearage forgiveness programs for PIPP customers.
See electric utility restructuring
legislation, which establishes a Universal Service Fund that
will incorporate existing programs including State Energy Credit,
PIPP and weatherization.
LEVERAGING
2007: $283.9 million
2006: $252.3 million
2005: $210.4 million
2004: $200.4 million
2003: $201.6 million
2002: $173 million
2001: $163.2 million
2000: $6.9 million (Energy Credit Program - 2000 and before)
1999: $6.1 million
1998: $5.5 million
1997: $5.6 million
1996: $4.6 million
1995: $5.7 million
1994: $7.1 million
1993: $7.6 million
1992: $7 million
1991: $9.5 million
LEGISLATIVE CODE