1. Low Income Programs and Issues
Community Solar Workshop
February 14, 2017

2. Objectives
Programs and services that help limited income customers become more able to pay for their electricity service, and to provide bill payment assistance to households in financial crisis.
Three types of programs are in place to help meet these objectives:
Energy efficiency measures and education reduce kWh usage and billings.
Bill discounts result in more affordable billings.
Energy assistance provides funds to cover past, present and future billings.

3. Current Programs Low Income Weatherization
Offered in all 6 states, generally through Commission approved tariff with Company funding a portion of costs associated with the installation of measures that decrease kWh usage.
Available to income eligible homeowners and renters residing in single-family homes, manufactured homes and apartments at no cost.
Company partners directly with local agencies that provide services, except in Oregon where funding collected through a monthly surcharge is forwarded to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) monthly. This funds the Energy Conservation Helping Oregonians (ECHO) program.
Local agency staff determine eligibility, complete a DOE approved audit, install cost-effective measures and inspect all completed homes.
Over 40,000 customer’s homes completed since the programs were initiated in the mid-1980s, approximately 20,000 in Oregon.

4. More Current Programs Bill Discounts Energy Assistance
Available to income eligible customers in California, Utah and Washington.
Often require bill passed by the legislature to allow the Commission to approve these programs.
Energy Assistance
Federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
In Oregon, funds are also collected through a surcharge on PGE & Pacific Power billings to fund the Oregon Energy Assistance (OEA) program. Funds are forwarded to OHCS. In 2016, over $8 million was collected.
We partner with non-profit agencies in all states to provide assistance with donated monies. In Oregon, this effort is through the Oregon Energy Fund. Our customers, employees and the Company contributed more than $530,000 to our 6 state fuel funds in 2016.

5. Income Eligibility ECHO Program – 200% of Federal Poverty Level:
OEA Program – At or below 60% Oregon’s Median Income:
Household Size
Monthly Income 1
$1,980.00 2
$2,670.00 3
$3,360.00 4
$4,050.00 5
$4,740.00 6
$5,340.00 7
$6,121.67
Add $ for each additional family member
Household Size
Monthly Income 1
$1,885.50 2
$2,465.58 3
$3,045.75 4
$3,625.92 5
$4,206.08 6
$4,786.25 7
$4,895.00
Add $ for each additional family member

6. Lessons Learned/Best Practices
Partner with local agencies to enroll participants and administer programs.
Easy enrollment/participation is essential.
Some people don’t realize/admit they are income eligible for benefits.
Don’t over promote or you will not meet expectations.
You can’t make everyone happy.
Remember that many people learn of the offering through word of mouth.
Check numbers that are similar to your program’s toll free number!

7. A Few Possible Community Solar Issues
How to determine income eligibility? If they receive benefits from another program could they automatically qualify?
Do you target very low income households, moderate income, communities with high % of limited income residents, etc.?
Do you target high kWh usage households?
If financial benefits are minimal, how do you get people interested?
What happens when a participant moves or they are no longer income eligible?
Are renters/owners, people residing in single family homes, manufactured homes and apartments all eligible?
If participation is limited, do you rollout a pilot?

8. Discussion/Thoughts/Questions???