Amendment #1234 to H5500

Suspending Public Benefit and Public Policy Charges on Utility Bills

Mr. Boldyga of Southwick moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

"SECTION XXXX. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the collection of any public benefit charge, public policy charge, or other similar surcharge assessed on retail electricity or natural gas customers in the commonwealth for the purpose of funding energy efficiency programs, renewable energy programs, or other policy-driven initiatives shall be suspended effective immediately upon the effective date of this bill and shall remain suspended unless and until further action by the general court.

For purposes of this section, “public benefit charge,” “public policy charge,” or similar surcharge shall include, but not be limited to, charges authorized pursuant to sections 19 and 21 of chapter 25 of the General Laws and any other charge approved by the Department of Public Utilities for the purpose of supporting energy or environmental policy programs.

The Department of Public Utilities shall take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with this section by electric and gas distribution companies, including the immediate cessation of the assessment and collection of such charges on customer bills."