Print This Page

Decorative Image

Solutions for LMI Customers

Updated February 2, 2018

Description

New York State utilities are striving to make energy efficiency and clean energy solutions affordable for low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers. REV Connect is facilitating innovative ideas and business models that work in partnership with utilities to help the 3.5 million LMI customers across the state manage their overall energy consumption and gain access to distributed energy resources (DER).

Possible utility partnership opportunities could include:

  • Educational tools and approaches that help LMI customers understand and manage energy use, particularly those that provide clear, one-stop access to existing programs
  • Approaches that increase LMI customers’ access to energy efficiency and renewable energy options on affordable terms, including for residents of affordable multifamily apartment buildings
  • Business models that maximize the impact of ratepayer funding such as pay-as-you-save or tariff-backed performance programs
  • Public and private financing options that could supplement ratepayer-funded programs
  • Outreach through LMI community-based groups such as non-profit and faith-based organizations to market utility offerings
  • Solutions that apply best practices and recommendations from the Clean Energy Advisory Council (CEAC) LMI Clean Energy Initiatives Working Group report and that cost-effectively bring other innovation opportunities to LMI customers

Utility Specific Interests

Utility Propose Ideas Via Interest Level
Central Hudson REV Connect Interested in ideas around bill management and ways to help LMI customers access DER
Con Edison N/A Not seeking partners due to a previous, now closed, request for information (RFI)
National Grid REV Connect Interested in partnerships that expand affordable opportunities for the LMI segment to take advantage of distributed generation (DG), demand response (DR), and other technologies that drive efficiency
NYSEG and RG&E REV Connect Interested in ideas for expanding DER adoption for LMI customers
O&R REV Connect Interested in partnerships that expand use of energy tools and provide access to DER for LMI customers, especially behavioral programs, as has been proposed in the LMI Implementation Plan

REV Context

New York is assisting LMI customers through several current programs and initiatives, including:

  • EmPower NY, administered by NYSERDA, which provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions to low-income customers
  • The Weatherization Assistance Program that helps to reduce energy leaks and lower heating and cooling costs for LMI customer homes
  • Utility-administered residential energy efficiency programs that offer rebates and other incentives to LMI customers to encourage the adoption of energy efficient technologies
  • The CEAC working group, which issued a report in early 2017 outlining 43 recommendations for alternative approaches to provide customers with clean energy services
  • The Clean Energy Fund (CEF), through which NYSERDA is investing $234.5 million in LMI clean energy initiatives over the first 3 years of the fund

REV further supports advancing programs and affordability for low-income customers by setting the goal of lowering the total energy spend for LMI customers to no more than 6% of household income. REV is seeking to make DER solutions including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and community DG available and affordable to LMI customers while achieving this 6% goal.

New York electric and gas utilities have each filed LMI Implementation Plans that outline how each utility plans to achieve this 6% goal through bill credits and other parallel programs. Several utilities have also included LMI initiatives in their REV demonstration projects, such as National Grid’s Fruit Belt Solar project.

Resources

  • REV Connect Utility Profiles: Provides summaries REV demonstration project, including those with a focus on LMI customers, such as the National Grid Fruit Belt project

Some files may require a free “helper” application to view:

Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader