Amendment #42 to H5151

Providing a Residential Utility Bill Credit

Mr. Soter of Bellingham moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

“SECTION XXX. (a) The department shall issue a one-time credit for electric, gas, propane gas, or oil utilities in the amount of two-hundred and fifty dollars for residential rate payers. The credit shall be distributed as a one-time credit in accordance with subsection (b). The credit shall be reflected on the ratepayers electric, gas, or oil monthly statement at the time of the credit.

 (b) The department shall establish a system by which a ratepayer may request that the credit be applied to one of the following: electric, gas, propane gas, or oil utilities. The credit under this section shall be available only to residential ratepayers with a total annual income not exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars for individuals or one-hundred fifty thousand dollars for those filing jointly

 (c) Ratepayers who show proof of participation in a qualified means-tested program, Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, MassHealth Standard, CarePlus and Limited Customers, HeadStart, or Veterans Chapter 115 benefits shall automatically be eligible for the credit.

 (d) These credits shall be paid from the Mass Save energy efficiency program. The DPU shall not authorize or permit the recovery of any forgone money resulting from the distributed utility credit through any means, including but not limited to: subsequent rate increases, reconciliation mechanisms, surcharges, interest charges and other adjustment factors”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #42 to H5151

Providing a Residential Utility Bill Credit