2. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH,
WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THESE COSTS NOT INCLUDED IN RATES ON JANUARY 1,
2000, IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY OTHERWISE APPLICABLE CAP.

(II) THE RECOVERY BY AN ELECTRIC COMPANY OF COSTS FOR A
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO ANY APPLICABLE CAP REGARDLESS
OF WHEN THE COSTS ARE INCLUDED IN RATES.

(3) DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2000, AN ELECTRIC
COMPANY MAY NOT, UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, RECOVER COSTS
OF A CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY LAW, REGULATION, OR
ORDER 

7-512.1.

(A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL SERVICE
PROGRAM TO ASSIST ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS WITH ANNUAL INCOMES AT OR BELOW
150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR ADMINISTERING THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM THROUGH THE
MARYLAND ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(3) THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MAY, WITH INPUT FROM
A PANEL OR ROUNDTABLE OF INTERESTED PARTIES, CONTRACT WITH A FOR-PROFIT
OR A NONPROFIT MARYLAND CORPORATION EXISTING AS OF JULY 1, 1999 TO ASSIST
IN ADMINISTERING THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM.

(4) THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM.

(5) THE COMPONENTS OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM SHALL

INCLUDE:

(I) BILL ASSISTANCE, ATA MINIMUM OF 50% OF THE DETERMINED

NEED;

(II) LOW-INCOME WEATHERIZATION; AND

(III) THE RETIREMENT OF ARREARAGES THAT WERE INCURRED
PRIOR TO THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE.

(B) (1) (I) ALL CUSTOMERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUNDING OF THE
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM THROUGH A CHARGE COLLECTED BY EACH
ELECTRIC COMPANY.

(II) IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS AFTER THE INITIAL
IMPLEMENTATION DATE, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS TO
THE CHARGES COLLECTED FOR THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM FOR PERSONS
THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CUSTOMER CHOICE.