ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                               Ch. 95

Article - Public Utility Companies

Section 7-512.1(g) and (h), respectively

to be Section 7-512.1(e) and (f), respectively

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1998 Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Public Utility Companies

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] OFFICE OF HOME ENERGY PROGRAMS.

(3)     The Department of Human Resources may, with input from a panel
or round table 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, at a 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 FOR ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY
RECEIVED ASSISTANCE IN RETIRING ARREARAGES UNDER THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE
PROGRAM, NOT TO EXCEED A TOTAL OF $1.5 MILLION IN ANY GIVEN FISCAL YEAR.

(6)      IN A SPECIFIC CASE, THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM MAY
WAIVE THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITATION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS
SUBSECTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO AN ELECTRIC CUSTOMER WHO
WOULD QUALIFY FOR A SIMILAR WAIVER UNDER THE MARYLAND ENERGY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 41, § 6-406 OF THE CODE.

(b)     (1) (i) All customers [will] SHALL 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.

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