Lifeline rate issue

Journal Article · Sat Oct 11 04:00:00 EDT 1969 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5684720

A lifeline utility rate involves more complex issues than the argument to guarantee a minimum service level for the needy as envisioned by its proponents. Whether states have the legal authority to set lifeline rates for selected customers and whether this is a legitimate tool for achieving social goals is open to question. There are also challenges to the assumption that low-income groups actually consume less electricity and whether the net result may be to raise the cost of energy for this group if energy use turns out to be inelastic or to discourage conservation if the market is elastic. A review of several utility commission proposals describes the approaches under consideration in several states. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 5684720
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 104:8; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEGAL ASPECTS
LOW INCOME GROUPS
PRICING REGULATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RATE STRUCTURE
REGULATIONS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS