As used in this Part, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to them:

(1)  “Commission” means the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

(2)(a)  “Energy emergency”  means a specified period of time, as declared by the commission, characterized by inordinately high utility bills, which are a product of one or all of the following:

(i)  High gas or other fuel costs.

(ii)  Unusually inclement weather which necessitates extensive use of utilities.

(iii)  Any other circumstances as determined by the commission.

(b)  The commission is authorized to determine what constitutes “inordinately high utility bills”, “high gas or other fuel costs”, and “unusually inclement weather”.

(3)  “Deferred billing program” means a program administered by a utility that allows utility customers to defer payment of a utility bill up to a twelve-month time period.

(4)  “Eligible customers” include any one of the following:

(a)  Those persons whose income does not exceed one hundred fifty percent of the poverty level as established by the federal government and who are sixty-five years of age or older.

(b)  Those persons who receive any one of the following:

(i)  Food stamps.

(ii)  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

(c)  Those persons whose sole income consists of Social Security payments.

(d)  As determined by the commission, vital government entities who provide services the absence of which could result in imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(e)  Those persons who need life-sustaining, electrically operated equipment, or life-sustaining medical treatment that requires electricity in order to live.

(5)  “Utility” means any person, public or private, subject to the general jurisdiction of the commission pursuant to La. Const. Art. IV, § 21 who provides electric or gas services to consumers in this state.

Acts 2001, No. 629, §1.