District of Columbia Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

The Universal Service Discount Program (USDP) was established through the enactment of the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999. The programs are funded through the Reliable Energy Trust Fund (RETF), a public benefit fund that supports universal service for low-income customers and residential energy efficiency and renewable resources programs. The RETF was used to expand the existing Residential Aid Discount (RAD) to customers who do not have electric space heating. Those customers receive a 63 percent discount on the first 400 kWhs in summer months (June - October) and a 32 percent discount on the first 400 kWhs in winter months (November - May) for a total savings of $102 per year. Eligible all-electric customers receive a $20 per month discount year-round and save $240.

During the 2004 program year, annual savings through the RAD program amounted to about $1.6 million.

See electric utility restructuring.

LEVERAGING

2004: $1.6 million
2002: $744,000
2001: $837,000

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005