Pennsylvania Code
Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES
Part I - Public Utility Commission
Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities
Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE
Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Section 62.2 - Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

CAP benefits-The average CAP bill, average CAP credits and average arrearage forgiveness, as applicable.

CAP credits-The difference between the amount billed at the standard residential rate and the amount billed at the CAP rate.

CAP-Customer Assistance Program-An alternative collection method that provides payment assistance to low-income, payment troubled utility customers. CAP participants agree to make regular monthly payments that may be for an amount that is less than the current bill in exchange for continued provision of natural gas utility services.

CARES benefits-The number of referrals and number of customers accepted into CARES.

CARES-Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services-A program that provides a cost-effective service that helps selected, payment-troubled customers maximize their ability to pay utility bills. A CARES program provides a casework approach to help customers secure energy assistance funds and other needed services.

Classification of accounts-Accounts are classified by the following categories: all residential accounts and confirmed low-income residential accounts.

Collection operating expenses-Expenses directly associated with collection of payments due for residential accounts.

Confirmed low-income residential account-Accounts where the NGDC has obtained information that would reasonably place the customer in a low-income designation. This information may include receipt of LIHEAP funds (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), self-certification by the customer, income source or information obtained in § 56.97(b) (relating to procedures upon rate-payer or occupant contact prior to termination).

Direct dollars-Dollars which are applied to a CARES customer's natural gas utility account, including all sources of energy assistance applied to utility bills such as LIHEAP, hardship fund grants, and local agencies' grants.

Energy assistance benefits-The total number and dollar amount of LIHEAP grants.

Hardship fund-A fund that provides cash assistance to utility customers to help them pay their utility bills.

Hardship fund benefits-The total number and dollar amount of cash benefits or bill credits.

Impact evaluation-An evaluation that focuses on the degree to which a program achieves the continuation of utility service to program participants at a reasonable cost level and otherwise meets program goals.

LIURP-Low-income Usage Reduction Program-An energy usage reduction program that helps low-income customers to conserve energy and reduce residential energy bills.

Low-income customer-A residential utility customer whose gross household income is at or below 150% of the Federal poverty guidelines. Gross household income does not include the value of food stamps or other noncash income.

NGDC-Natural gas distribution company-A natural gas distribution company as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 2202 (relating to definitions).

Outreach referral contacts-An address and telephone number that a customer would call or write to apply for the hardship fund. Contact information should be specific to each county in the NGDC's service territory, if applicable.

Payment rate-The total number of full monthly payments received from CAP participants in a given period divided by the total number of monthly bills issued to CAP participants.

Payment troubled-A household that has failed to maintain one or more payment arrangements in a 1-year period.

Residential account in arrears-A residential account that is at least 30 days overdue. This classification includes all customer accounts that have payment arrangements.

Successful payment arrangements-A payment arrangement in which the agreed upon number of payments have been made in full in the preceding 12 months.

Universal service and energy conservation-The term as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 2202.

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56 Appendix C (relating to definitions ( § 56.231)).