Item 4a-Energy Efficiency Equitable Budget Resolution_Richard Halpin — original pdf

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Austin Energy Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Energy Efficiency Equitable Budget Resolution Recommendation: Funding levels for low-income energy efficiency programs should be made proportionate to what these customers are paying into the programs. Austin Energy 2014 Electric Rates include $0.004 per / kWh for energy efficiency programs.[1] The 182,200 customers currently at or below 301% of federal poverty guidelines paid over $9.3 million for energy efficiency programs in 2014, but often they are not the recipients of program rebates.[2] In FY 2014, Austin Energy spent $729,547 out of $32,745,229 in energy efficiency expenditures on the low income weatherization program, just over 2% of the total expenditure.[3] Description: In order to be more equitable, low income customers should receive more direct benefits from the money they pay into efficiency programs. There should be an emphasis on serving as many customers as possible, as economically as possible. An equitable budget can and should be developed. This is how $9.3 million for low-income efficiency programs might be spent: Proposed Equitable Spending Budget $ Million Program 5.4 Weatherization, with the previously used $500 incidental repair cap be more realistic @ $1500 repair cap. 1 Up to 2 window units per household, professionally installed, depending upon need, assessed on a case-by-case basis. Prioritize homes with elderly or children, or special health needs. 1.5 Rebates to incentivize solar installation on new multifamily affordable housing construction, working with Housing Finance Construction  1.4 Multifamily affordable housing efficiency / weatherization 9.3 Equitable funding total - balances out money paid into programs by 182,200 low-income customers - up to 301% of federal poverty guidelines [1] Austin Energy Residential Electric Rates, Effective November 2014, Austin Energy website [2] Calculated by Lanetta Cooper, using data provided by Austin Energy in response to a public information request (June 4, 2015 and May 22, 2015) [3] Based on data provided by Austin Energy in response to a public in response to a public information request (June 4, 2015 and May 22, 2015)