Lifeline electric rates and alternative approaches to the problems of low-income ratepayers: cross-program summary

The purpose of this study was to aid the US Department of Energy in developing materials to assist state regulatory authorities and nonregulated utilities in determining whether or not to implement lifeline rates. In accordance with this objective, case studies of ten implemented and ten rejected lifeline-rate programs were conducted. The initiation and implementation of these programs are described in detail and their actual or anticipated impact on conservation, efficiency, and equity are assessed. The findings of the study are reported in three volumes. The first volume provides general overview and cross-program comparisons of the social and economic context of lifeline, governmental process, and impact assessment. Volume 2 describes the case studies of the 10 implemented programs and Volume 3 describes the 10 non-implemented lifeline proposals. The programs were selected so that in each of these groups at least one program would have the following eligibility requirements: all residential users; elderly low-income residential users; and elderly residential users. (MCW