Creating the Moment Expanding LowIncome Energy Resources Roger

Creating the Moment: Expanding Low-Income Energy Resources Roger Colton Fisher, Sheehan & Colton Public Finance and General Economics Belmont, MA 02478 June 2002

National Fuel Funds Network: Energy Safety Net Tool Kit Series • Launched in December 2001 • A series of papers exploring new programs and new partnerships to increase energy assistance in the US. • Stress approaches that community-based organizations, utilities and government can undertake together, without new regulation or legislation.

Tool Kit #1: In Harm’s Way: The Issue • Portable space heaters not major cause of home heating fires. • Portable space heaters: – Highest death toll – Highest injury rate – Highest property damage per household

Tool Kit #1: In Harm’s Way: The Issue • Substantial minority (25%) of customers losing heating use portable heaters (electric/propane). • Low-income risk factors: – No smoke detectors – No child care – No telephone – Less fire resistant housing

Tool Kit #1: In Harm’s Way: The Partnership • National Fire Protection Association (National Fire Prevention Week) • Property and casualty insurance companies • Weatherization providers (smoke detectors) • Local utilities (fire prevention and shutoffs) • State/local public health agencies (CDC: unintentional injuries)

Tool Kit #2: Credit where Credit is Due: The Issue • 4. 3 million low-income households at risk of shutoff at end of 2000/2001 heating season. • Proportionately, 2 x as many low-income customers in arrears. • Low-income arrears twice as high as nonlow-income.

Tool Kit #2: Credit where Credit is Due: The Issue • EITC/Child tax credit available to working poor. • Average benefit $1, 800+ • One-quarter of recipients use to pay pastdue utility bills. • 90% use to pay household living expenses.

Tool Kit #2: Credit where Credit is Due: The Partnership • Mass utility outreach campaigns (NJ) • “Gap filler” outreach campaign – Part-time workers – Women-workers – Hispanic workers • VITA campaign (Illinois--Ameritech) • Targeted outreach (Cleco)

Tool Kit #5: When Weather Kills: The Issue • From 1989 - 1998, heat-related deaths outpaced deaths attributable to every other weather category, including cold weather. • Low-income at particular risk: – Summer bills unaffordable – Particular dangers of urban heat (heat island) – Particular dangers of urban heat (housing type) • Households most at risk: – Persons aged 60 and over: 68% of heat deaths – 70% of heat deaths in homes w/o air conditioning.

Tool Kit #5: When Weather Kills: The Issue • Air conditioning is #1 protection against heatrelated illness and death. • Electric fans may provide comfort, but do not provide health protection. • For example, 21% of all deaths in NYC during 1964 - 1988 could have been avoided by air conditioning.

Tool Kit #5: When Weather Kills: The Partnership • Community “Heat Response Plan” – Identification of high risk persons • Extreme Weather Registry – Outreach and education – Access to cooling • Home cooling, congregate cooling sites, extended hour cooling sites. – Heat-related assistance (hot line)

Tool Kit #5: When Weather Kills: The Partnership • • Local governments Aging/disabled advocates Facility managers (private/public) Insurance companies

NFFN’s Energy Safety Net Tool Kit http: //www. nationalfuelfunds. org/toolkits. html

For More Information: coling@nationalfuelfunds. org or roger@fsconline. com