Low Income Single Family Services A Piggyback on VT Weatherization

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Low Income Single Family ServicesA Piggyback on
VT Weatherization

• Jim Massie
• National Low Income Efficiency Conference
• Washington D.C.
• June 14, 2006

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OVERVIEW

• History
• Partners and Collaborators
• Participant Eligibility
• Services
• Measures and Incentives
• Performance and Budget
• Lessons Learned

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PROGRAM HISTORY

• 1990-1999
• Electric utilities required to implement
  efficiency programs as part of their least-cost
  resource mix.
• Result
• Incomplete coverage (not all utilities actively
  participated)
• Inconsistent service offerings
• Primarily direct install measures (lighting and
  water conservation)

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PROGRAM HISTORY

• Since 2000
• The creation of Efficiency Vermont
• Statewide services
• System Benefits Charge
• Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
• a private, non-profit

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PROGRAM HISTORY

• Efficiency Vermont
• Business Services
• Residential Services
• New Construction
• Retail
• Existing Homes

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PROGRAM HISTORY

• Low Income Single Family (LISF)
• Public Service Board contract
• Low Income (MF SF) spending 15
• SF 1-4 unit homes (includes mobile homes)
• Build on the strengths of existing services
• Improve geographic equity

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PROGRAM PARTNERS

• Primary Partners
• MOU with Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity
  (OEO)
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAPs)
• BROC ? CVCAC
• CVCAC ? NETO
• SEVCA
• Burlington Electric Department (BED)

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PROGRAM PARTNERS

• Other Collaborators
• Neighborworks Agencies
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
  (LIHEAP)
• VT State Housing Authority
• Local Public Housing Authorities

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PROGRAM PARTNERS

• WAP Strengths
• Solid Infrastructure
• Funding
• 80 VT gross receipts tax on heating fuels
• 20 DOE Wx
• Comprehensive approach
• Well established presence
• Some electric efficiency experience

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PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY

• Electric grid
• Income criteria not mandated by contract
• Intake through WAP process
• Generally follow WAP income guidelines
• Accept other qualifiers on a case-by-case
• Estimated eligible population 100,000

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PROGRAM SERVICES and MEASURES

• WAP Services
• Contract with each Agency
• Uniform pricing
• Energy walk-through
• Energy bill analysis
• Energy education
• Contract management

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PROGRAM SERVICES and MEASURES

• Efficiency Vermont
• Training
• Screening tools and guidelines
• Technical resource
• Incentives for measures
• Reimbursement for fees and expenses
• Largely Invisible

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PROGRAM INCENTIVES
Measure Incentive
Direct Install-Lighting and Water Conservation 100
Refrigerator / Freezer Replacements 100
Electric Water and Space Heating Replacements 75/25
Custom Electric Efficiency Measures 75-100
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PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

• Annual Participants
• 1,000
• Annual Program Savings
• 1,850 MWH
• 850,000 Total Resource Benefit (TRB)
• Participant Savings
• 230 per year

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PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

• Proposed 2006 Budget

Category Budget (in thousands )
Administration 141
Direct Services 272
Sponsor Incentives 686
Partner Incentives 104
Total Budget 1,203
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PROGRAM LESSONS LEARNED

• Benefits
• Costs to reach the market are lower
• Easier to access the LI community
• Consistent services and equitable delivery
• Revenue strengthens WAP base
• WAP Auditors benefit from electric training
• Value added for all parties

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PROGRAM LESSONS LEARNED

• Lessons
• WAPs partnership vs. subcontractor
• WAP goals may take priority
• Frequent changes are disruptive and unwelcome
• Billing and data tracking is time consuming and
  onerous

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PROGRAM LESSONS LEARNED

• Future Considerations
• More Rx measures where possible
• Screw-based lighting versus fixtures
• Streamline data entry
• Maintain 15 spending
• Expand collaborations to target other
  hard-to-reach customers

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Jim Massie
• jmassie_at_veic.org
• [phone] ext. 1050