Societal Benefits Charge (SBC)——社會效益費

 What is the Societal Benefits Charge?

Utilities historically included in their rates funding for programs that provide societal benefits such as low income programs, nuclear decommissioning, and funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. New Jersey’s 1999 electric utility restructuring legislation (EDECA) authorized the Board of Public Utilities to permit utilities to continue collecting funds for these types of programs in a restructured utility market through a “societal benefits charge” (SBC).

What programs are supported by the SBC?

Six programs, which benefit both residents and businesses, are supported with SBC charges paid by gas and electric users.

They are:
1. Social programs
2. Nuclear plant decommissioning
3. Universal Service Fund, which provides for social programs such as the Lifeline Program and Low Income Home       Energy Assistance Program
4. Remediation of manufactured gas plant sites
5. Consumer education
6. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program

How much in SBC funding is collected each year?

SBC funds for all 6 programs are collected as a non-bypassable charge imposed on all customers of New Jersey’s investor-owned electric and gas public utilities. The SBC is a per kWh/therm charge that equates to approximately 3% of a customer’s energy bill. The BPU determines the amount that will be collected.From 2001 through 2008, $1.227 billion was collected to support New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program. An additional $1.213 billion will be collected from 2009-2012.

什麽是社會效益費用？

在1999年新澤西州的電力事業結構重組法案（EDECA- Electric Utility Restructuring Legislation）授權公用事業局允許公用事業（如：PSE&G）通過收取能源費用募集社會效益資金。

社會效益費用於支持什麽類型的項目？

1. 社會事業
2. 核電廠退役
3. 社會普遍服務基金，用於像生命線計劃、低收入家庭能源協助計劃
4. 天然氣站的恢復措施
5. 消費者教育
6. 新澤西清潔能源項目

社會效益費的來源？

SBC源於所有使用電力和天然氣用戶交納的費用，包括普通住宅用戶和商業用戶。每一個SBC相當於用戶交納能源費用的3%。從2001到2008年，其中籌集的1.227億美元用於支持新澤西能源項目，並且預計在2009-2012年期間再籌集1.213億美元。