HB 1778 — An Act establishing the Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program to provide limited, off-season utility assistance to eligible low-income households; and making an appropriation.

PRINTER'S NO.   2187

                    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        HOUSE BILL
                        No. 1778
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY GUZMAN, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, WAXMAN, SANCHEZ,
        MAYES, OTTEN, KINKEAD, K.HARRIS AND GUENST, JULY 31, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
        UTILITIES, AUGUST 4, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Establishing the Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program
 2      to provide limited, off-season utility assistance to eligible
 3      low-income households; and making an appropriation.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6   Section 1.   Short title.
 7      This act shall be known and may be cited as the Essential
 8   Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program Act.
 9   Section 2.   Definitions.
10      The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11   have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12   context clearly indicates otherwise:
13      "CAP."    A customer assistance program that is sponsored by a
14   public utility for the purpose of providing universal service
15   and energy conservation, as defined by section 2202 (relating to
16   definitions) or 2803 (relating to definitions), in which
17   customers make monthly payments based on household income and
18   household size and under which customers must comply with
 1   certain responsibilities and restrictions in order to remain
 2   eligible for the program.
 3      "Department."     The Department of Human Services of the
 4   Commonwealth.
 5      "Eligible household."     A household enrolled in LIHEAP, CAP or
 6   similar public utility assistance programs during the preceding
 7   heating season.
 8      "LIHEAP."     Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
 9      "Off-season."     May 1 through September 30 each calendar year.
10      "Pilot program."     The Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot
11   Program established under section 3.
12   Section 3.     Establishment of pilot program.
13      (a)   Duty of department.--The department shall establish and
14   administer the Essential Energy Stability Fund Pilot Program to
15   provide financial assistance to eligible households for electric
16   and cooling-related utility costs during the off-season.
17      (b)   Form of assistance.--Assistance from the pilot program
18   shall be provided in the form of direct bill credits applied in
19   coordination with regulated utility providers.
20      (c)   Pilot program prioritization.--The pilot program shall
21   prioritize households located in zip codes identified by the
22   department as having higher heat vulnerability or energy burden.
23   Section 4.     Funding of the pilot program.
24      The pilot program shall have the following funding:
25            (1)   The sum of $10,000,000 is appropriated from the
26      General Fund to the department for the initial two-year
27      operation of the pilot program.
28            (2)   The department may utilize any available carryover
29      Federal LIHEAP money consistent with Federal rules to
30      supplement the pilot program.

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 1   Section 5.    Coordination with utilities.
 2      The department shall enter into a memoranda of understanding
 3   with regulated electric and gas utilities for the:
 4          (1)    Identification and verification of eligible
 5      households.
 6          (2)    Application of assistance as bill credits during the
 7      off-season.
 8          (3)    Reporting of disbursements and outcomes to the
 9      department.
10   Section 6.    Reporting.
11      The department shall submit an annual report to the Governor
12   and the General Assembly by February 1 of each year summarizing:
13          (1)    The number of households assisted by the pilot
14      program.
15          (2)    The total money expended by the Commonwealth.
16          (3)    Geographic and demographic data on recipients under
17      the pilot program.
18          (4)    Recommendations regarding continuation or expansion
19      of the pilot program.
20   Section 7.    Expiration.
21      The pilot program shall expire December 31, 2027.
22   Section 8.    Effective date.
23      This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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