16 U.S.C. § 2624 : US Code - Section 2624: Lifeline rates

Search 16 U.S.C. § 2624 : US Code - Section 2624: Lifeline rates

(a) Lower rates
No provision of this chapter prohibits a State regulatory
authority (with respect to an electric utility for which it has
ratemaking authority) or a nonregulated electric utility from
fixing, approving, or allowing to go into effect a rate for
essential needs (as defined by the State regulatory authority or by
the nonregulated electric utility, as the case may be) of
residential electric consumers which is lower than a rate under the
standard referred to in section 2621(d)(1) of this title.
(b) Determination
If any State regulated electric utility or nonregulated electric
utility does not have a lower rate as described in subsection (a)
of this section in effect two years after November 9, 1978, the
State regulatory authority having ratemaking authority with respect
to such State regulated electric utility or the nonregulated
electric utility, as the case may be, shall determine, after an
evidentiary hearing, whether such a rate should be implemented by
such utility.
(c) Prior proceedings
Section 2634 of this title shall not apply to the requirements of
this section.