“These findings paint an alarming picture of the growing challenges families face in heating and cooling their homes and keeping the lights on."
Read More about New Data Shows Alarming Rise in Home Energy Insecurity
2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey findings reflect a rise in home energy insecurity particularly among households of color, households in the South Census Region, and low-income households across the country. Recommendations include: implementation of enhanced bill assistance, energy efficiency, regulatory consumer protection programs and policies, along with investment in relatively low-cost renewable energy resources.
In this Order, the Commission provides guidance and direction pertaining to the Public Conference 59 (“PC 59”) Work Group’s Report on Proposed Limited Income Mechanism for Utility Customers. For the reasons detailed below, the Commission approves the general design of the proposed Limited Income Mechanism (“LIM”), recommends guidance on further details, and approves Phase II…
This report was prepared for the Public Service Commission of Maryland by the PC59 Work Group, the Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition (MEAC), which includes the National Consumer Law Center. The Work Group developed and proposed a limited-income mechanism to help ensure customers have an energy burden of approximately 6%. The Work Group requests the Commission…
Read More about Limited Income Mechanism for Utility Customers (Maryland)
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…
The Maryland Energy Advocates (MEAC) submitted extensive comments and a proposed framework for a low-income Affordability Plan on January 31, 2024. MEAC later submitted the following Reply Comments. These stakeholders are unified in supporting a statewide low income affordable rate plan and reject the idea that households should receive varying benefits based on the utility…
Read More about Reply Comments of the Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition Regarding PC59
The Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition (MEAC) submitted comments in response to the Maryland Public Service Commission’s October 16, 2025, Notice of Comment and Hearing in Public Conference 59 (PC 59). MEAC has been an active advocate in the Commission’s process to consider adoption of a utility discount rate plan for low-income households in Maryland. MEAC…
Read More about Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition Working Group Comments on PC59
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities expanded the state’s winter utility disconnection moratorium, to begin on October 27, 2025 and ending on April 1, 2026. This temporary expansion of the moratorium will protect utility customers who usually receive assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or HEAP), but are still waiting for…
A decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today protects furnace efficiency standards set to reduce heating costs for many households.
Read More about Court Upholds Furnace Efficiency Standards Set to Cut Household Bills
These are comments from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Media/Telecommunications Task Force to the bicameral Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group. The comments highlight the importance of the USF programs to address the digital divide that poses a barrier to modern-day opportunities, particularly for those with very limited incomes, who live in…
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