End Energy Hardship Act

This bill would create a Department of Energy program that pays electric and natural gas distribution utilities to wipe out unpaid balances owed by residential customers. Utilities that take the money must run an income-based bill program, or a similar discount program, for at least five years, and must stop late fees, collections, and shutoffs tied to the debts being paid off. In these income-based programs, bills for eligible low-income customers are capped at no more than 6 percent of household income. Leftover funds would later go to participating utilities to give equal bill credits to all residential customers. The bill also authorizes $25 billion for debt relief and credits, plus $1 billion per year from 2027 through 2031 for technical help, program support, and data collection by the Energy Information Administration.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Paul Tonko Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors