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House bill would require monthly bill discounts for low‑income households; utilities warn of costs
Summary
HB 2,373 would require electric utilities to offer a monthly bill discount program with income tiers and streamlined enrollment; advocates and Commerce supported standardized access, while utilities and small public utility districts warned of unfunded mandates and large per‑customer cost increases in rural areas.
Representative Charlotte Mena, sponsor of HB 2,373, told the committee the bill builds on the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) to reduce the disproportionate energy burden on low‑income households by requiring a monthly bill discount program, tiered benefits, streamlined enrollment and expanded outreach. “The intent of the bill … is to build on the Clean Energy Transformation Act by clarifying expectations in a way that reduces disproportionate energy burden faced by limited income households,” Mena said.
Department of Commerce staff and supportive advocates described Washington’s current energy‑assistance landscape as a…
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