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DENVER, CO — The House Energy and Environment Committee yesterday passed legislation to standardize and improve energy assistance programs to ensure Coloradans have access to affordable, reliable energy.
“Affordability is top of mind for everyone, and this bill ensures that families who qualify for energy assistance programs actually receive it,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “Our bill standardizes utility assistance programs, increases their visibility and simplifies the application process so ratepayers can lower their utility bills. No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and feeding their family, and this bill works to provide utility assistance to Coloradans who need it.”
“Energy assistance programs can be life-saving for Colorado families,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “If you qualify for energy assistance, you should be able to take advantage of those programs. This bill simplifies the application process, including making it available online, so ratepayers can begin saving money on their utility bills sooner.”
SB26-002 passed committee by a vote of 9-4 and would require all investor-owned gas and electric utilities in Colorado to have a standardized framework for energy assistance programs known as Percentage of Income Payment Plans (PIPP). Specifically, this bill would require utilities to clearly post information about eligibility criteria and enrollment processes for the PIPP program on their websites and would standardize the name of PIPP programs across all investor-owned utilities to reduce confusion for customers.
Under this bill, customers would also be allowed to apply directly with their utility for the program, rather than having to first enroll in another assistance program. Referrals from other programs like Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) would still be allowed, ensuring multiple pathways to enrollment. Utilities would determine an annual bill credit for the customer delivered either as an up-front annual credit or a monthly credit on their utility bill.
To improve and expedite the application experience, utilities must inform applicants within 30 days whether they have been approved or denied for PIPP and the reason why. For those who are approved, utilities must provide a clear explanation of benefits and how their monthly bill will be impacted.