§ 2624. — Lifeline rates.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC2624]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 46--PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY POLICIES
SUBCHAPTER II--STANDARDS FOR ELECTRIC UTILITIES
Sec. 2624. Lifeline rates
(a) Lower rates
No provision of this chapter prohibits a State regulatory authority
(with respect to an electric utility for which it has ratemaking
authority) or a nonregulated electric utility from fixing, approving, or
allowing to go into effect a rate for essential needs (as defined by the
State regulatory authority or by the nonregulated electric utility, as
the case may be) of residential electric consumers which is lower than a
rate under the standard referred to in section 2621(d)(1) of this title.
(b) Determination
If any State regulated electric utility or nonregulated electric
utility does not have a lower rate as described in subsection (a) of
this section in effect two years after November 9, 1978, the State
regulatory authority having ratemaking authority with respect to such
State regulated electric utility or the nonregulated electric utility,
as the case may be, shall determine, after an evidentiary hearing,
whether such a rate should be implemented by such utility.
(c) Prior proceedings
Section 2634 of this title shall not apply to the requirements of
this section.
(Pub. L. 95-617, title I, Sec. 114, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3124.)
