(1) There is hereby created the low-income energy assistance program to collect and disburse an optional energy assistance contribution in Colorado in accordance with this article.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, every utility doing business in Coloradoshall participate in the energy assistance program and shall provide the opportunity for utility customers to make an optional energy assistance contribution on the monthly remittance device on their utility billing statement beginning September 1, 2006. Each utility shall provide the opportunity for customers to donate the optional energy assistance contribution as provided in section 40-8.7-105 (2).
Any reasonable costs that a utility incurs in connection with the program, includingthe initial costs of setting up the collection mechanism and reformatting its billing systems to solicit the optional contribution, shall be reimbursed from the moneys collected by the program, and this amount shall be approved for each utility by the public utilities commission. The reimbursed amounts shall be transmitted to the utilities before the remaining moneys are distributed to the organization.
Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 479, § 1, effective May 5.