On November 16, 2023, the Public Service Commission (Commission) issued a Notice establishing an Administrative Docket PC 59 to consider proposals for limited-income mechanisms for utility customers.
The Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition (MEAC) submitted these comments in response. MEAC’s mission is to focus on the circumstances, needs and solutions for the low-income households and communities in Maryland. The number of those households is not insignificant – 428,000 or over 18% of Maryland households. MEAC (including the Cancer Support Foundation and National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)) as members of the coalition) is the primary advocacy coalition that focuses solely on the energy circumstances and needs of low-income households in Commission proceedings.
In these Comments, MEAC discusses prior inadequate attempts to address high utility bills, and the long-standing need for a comprehensive approach to bill affordability that maximizes participation and addresses the energy burden of low income households. Finally, MEAC proposes a framework that incorporates a statewide utility-based rate plan for these households. MEAC believes that this framework, including a phase-in strategy, provides the best and most comprehensive way to address bill affordability for Maryland’s low-income and vulnerable customers.
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