CCC   PPPPP   U    U    CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W  W  W   SSS
 C   C  P    p  U    U   C   C      NN   N  E      W  W  W  S   S
C       P    P  U    U  C           N N  N  E      W  W  W  S
C       PPPPP   U    U  C           N N  N  EEE    W W W W   SSS
C       P       U    U  C           N  N N  E      WW   WW      S
 C   C  P       U    U   C   C      N   NN  E      W     W  S   S
  CCC   P        UUUU     CCC       N    N  EEEEE  W     W   SSS

CONTACT: Kyle DeVine             February 19, 1997   CPUC - 512
         213-897-4225                             (Res. E-3481)

   CPUC REVISES INCOME ELGIBILITY LIMITS FOR LOW-INCOME GAS AND
    ELECTRICITY SERVICE, AND WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

    The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today revised
annual income limits for eligibility for the California Alternative
Rates for Energy (CARE), and Low-Income Weatherization (LIW)
programs.
    CARE offers qualified customers discounts on their gas and
electric bills.  LIW gives low-income customers access to services
which reduce energy consumption and also reduce bills.
    The income limits are established at 150 percent of the Federal
poverty guidelines.  They are adjusted annually for inflation based
on the change in the Federal Consumer Price Index which this year
results in a 2.9 percent increase.  New income limits effective
March 8, 1997 through March 11, 1998 are:

                   CARE, LIW     Pacific Power    LIW for 60+ years
Household Size     Programs       CARE only          or disabled
   1 - 2           $17,000         $14,700            $22,700
     3              20,000          17,300             26,700
Each additional
member, add         4,000            3,500              5,300

     Household income is subject to verification by the CPUC or
utility.  Southern California Water Company, which provides
electricity in some areas, is not required to have a LIW program.
     Pacific Gas and Electric, Pacific Power and Light, San Diego
Gas and Electric, Sierra Pacific Power, Southern California Edison,
Southern California Gas, Southern California Water, Southwest Gas,
and Washington Water Power will notify their customers of the new
income limits in their information mailings.
     Elgibility limits for the low-income Universal Lifeline
Telephone Service program will also be increased to these levels
soon.                                -###-