Ch. 3  1999 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(L) (1) "PUBLIC PURPOSE PROGRAM" MEANS A PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED
WITH THE INTENTION OF FURTHERING A PUBLIC PURPOSE.

(2) "PUBLIC PURPOSE PROGRAM" INCLUDES:

 (I) A UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM;

(II) A PROGRAM ENCOURAGING RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES;

(III) A DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OR OTHER ENERGY
EFFICIENCY OR CONSERVATION PROGRAM; AND

(IV) A CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

(M) "QUALIFIED RATE ORDER" MEANS AN ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
APPROVING ONE OR MORE INTANGIBLE TRANSITION CHARGES.

(N) "STANDARD OFFER SERVICE" MEANS ELECTRIC SERVICE THAT AN
ELECTRIC COMPANY MUST OFFER TO ITS CUSTOMERS UNDER § 7-510(C) OF THIS
SUBTITLE.

(O) "TRANSITION BOND" MEANS A BOND, DEBENTURE, NOTE, CERTIFICATE
OF PARTICIPATION OR BENEFICIAL INTEREST, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF
INDEBTEDNESS OR OWNERSHIP, APPROVED IN A QUALIFIED RATE ORDER AND
ISSUED UNDER AN EXECUTED TRUST INDENTURE OR OTHER AGREEMENT OF AN
ELECTRIC COMPANY OR ASSIGNEE, AND WHICH IS SECURED BY, EVIDENCES
OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN, OR IS PAYABLE FROM INTANGIBLE TRANSITION
PROPERTY.

(P) "TRANSITION COST" MEANS A COST, LIABILITY, OR INVESTMENT THAT:

(1) TRADITIONALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN OR WOULD BE RECOVERABLE
UNDER RATE-OF-RETURN REGULATION, BUT WHICH MAY NOT BE RECOVERABLE IN
A RESTRUCTURED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY MARKET; OR

(2) ARISES AS A RESULT OF ELECTRIC INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING AND
IS RELATED TO THE CREATION OF CUSTOMER CHOICE.

(Q) (1) "UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM" MEANS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS
LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS MAINTAIN ELECTRIC SERVICE.

(2) "UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM" 'INCLUDES CUSTOMER BILL
ASSISTANCE AND PAYMENT PROGRAMS, TERMINATION OF SERVICE PROTECTION,
AND POLICIES AND SERVICES THAT HELP LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS TO REDUCE OR
MANAGE ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER