Disabled and newly widowed, Irene Pingree says assistance in paying her electric bill under a soon-to-be expanded state program can’t come soon enough.
On Wednesday, Gov. John Lynch and legislative leaders announced they will rush legislation through early next year to get discounts on electric bills for low-income electric customers.
About 7,500 people are on a wait list for help through New Hampshire’s electric assistance program. The program provides discounts ranging from 5 to 70 percent to poor residents, depending on household size and income.
Electric customers already pay into programs for electric assistance and energy efficiency. The legislation would reduce the money going to energy efficiency and increase the amount to electric assistance for the next two years. Electric customers won’t notice any changes in their bills. (AP)
