Eliminates demand side management programs from cost recovery through societal benefits charge.

This bill removes the ability for electric and gas utilities to recover costs for demand side management programs (including energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives) through the societal benefits charge. Previously, these programs were funded through a fee collected from all utility customers. The bill deletes a specific provision from state law that had allowed these costs to be recovered through the societal benefits charge. This change affects how utilities can fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that were previously supported through this fee structure.