(1) The statewide low-income energy assistance program is established within the department. The purpose of the program is to reduce energy burden for low-income households in Washington. The statewide low-income energy assistance program is supplemental to low-income energy assistance provided by utilities under RCW
19.405.120 and
80.28.068. Participating utilities may not supplant funding from this program to meet the requirements of RCW
19.405.120 and
80.28.068. The department must begin providing energy assistance no later than 14 months after funding is appropriated. The department, in consultation with the utilities and transportation commission, must write rules to implement this section. Nothing in this section alters existing regulatory jurisdiction over consumer-owned utilities.
(2) In accordance with subsection (4) of this section, the department must establish details for low-income customers to enroll in the statewide low-income energy assistance program via rule making. This rule making must consider:
(a) Low-income households' eligibility;
(b) Application processes for in-person, online, and over-the-phone enrollment;
(c) Partnership with utilities from which low-income households receive service and the utility has voluntarily chosen to serve as coadministrator of the program;
(d) Partnership with community action councils and other community providers of low-income social services;
(e) Allowance for self-attestation;
(f) That the department may verify that applicants and participants meet the income qualifications, and may work with utilities and community action councils to conduct this verification;
(g) That there is no risk to eligibility based on immigration status; and
(h) Auto enrollment of known eligible households.
(3) The department may enter into agreements with participating utilities to serve as coadministrators of the statewide low-income energy assistance program for the purposes of enhancing customer engagement, facilitating enrollment of eligible customers, and sharing administrative duties with the department. Serving as a coadministrator is voluntary for participating utilities.
(4) Subject to appropriation, the department, in consultation with the advisory group created in *section 4 of this act, must phase in the statewide low-income energy assistance program across participating utilities, prioritizing low-income households in energy assistance need.
(5)(a) The department must, in consultation with the utilities and transportation commission as it applies to investor-owned utilities, administer the statewide low-income energy assistance program by providing funds to participating utilities. The participating utilities must pass these funds on to their low-income residential customers and show the energy assistance on the customers' monthly bills.
(b) Following standard contractual procedures, a participating utility may seek reimbursement from the department equal to the energy assistance provided.
(c) The discount or dollar amount that the department provides to low-income households must be tiered to provide the most energy assistance to the households with the greatest need.
(d) The department and each participating utility's obligation to provide energy assistance under the statewide low-income energy assistance program is based on available funding appropriated for this specific purpose. Participating utilities may not be required to provide assistance to low-income customers under the statewide low-income energy assistance program beyond funding appropriated for this purpose. This program may not be funded through a utility surcharge or collection of any funding from utilities. It is the intent of the legislature that sustained funding shall be provided to meet low-income household needs from climate commitment act auction revenues or other dollars.
(6) A participating utility may not reduce the level of low-income energy assistance it provides as a result of participation in the statewide low-income energy assistance program.
(7) This section expires June 30, 2035.
