State Approaches to the System Benefits Charge

This report documents the consideration and implementation of a non-bypassable system benefits charge in six states through mid-May 1997. The system benefits charge is being established to sustain important public-policy programs during the electric industry restructuring process. The states covered include Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. The issuesfaced by the six states are the system benefits charge in general; surcharge rate or funding levels; administrative structure and procedures; and actions, guidelines, and principles by program area.