The purpose of this chapter is to require a public utility, as defined in § 58.2 (relating to definitions), to establish a fair, effective and efficient Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) for its residential eligible customers. A LIURP that meets the requirements of this chapter is intended to decrease a LIURP participant’s energy usage and public utility bills or to improve health, safety and comfort levels of household members, or both. A reduction in energy usage creates the opportunity for cost savings, which can lessen the incidence and risk of customer payment delinquencies and the attendant public utility costs associated with uncollectible accounts expense, collection costs and arrearage carrying costs. A reduction in the residential demand for energy can also result in cost reductions related to the purchase of fuel or of power for all customers.