APPRISE Economic and Policy Analysis
Ameren’s Keeping Current Program provides monthly bill credits and arrearage reduction for customers who continue to make monthly bill payments. Their Keeping Cooling Program provides bill credits in the summer months to offset the costs of air conditioning usage. APPRISE has conducted four process and impact evaluations of the program. These evaluations assessed program design, implementation, participation, retention, and impacts, and made recommendations for program improvements.
In 2020, APPRISE conducted a program design study to assess alternative bill payment designs and make recommendations for refinement or redesign of Ameren’s program. This study assessed program goals, explored options for program parameters, analyzed the outcomes of various program designs, reviewed best practices, and provided recommendations for changes to Ameren’s program.
Ameren Missouri has a Neighborhood Solar Program that installs solar at community-oriented sites such as schools, nonprofits, and municipalities. This program includes a workforce development component where Ameren Missouri works with site partners and vendors to provide job training and opportunities to individuals in the local community, with a focus on economically disadvantaged clients or students starting in the solar industry. APPRISE conducted a study to help Ameren Missouri understand how other programs have developed and implemented these workforce development initiatives and how Ameren can optimize their program design.
APPRISE conducted research for Ameren Missouri to help them understand the advantages and disadvantages of low-income solar design options including strategies for equitable offerings, ownership models, funding sources, bill payment, program coordination, marketing and education, and project location. The research included review of low- and moderate-income (LMI) solar programs around the country, a detailed review of utility-run LMI community solar programs, and interviews with managers of five utility-run LMI community solar programs. The final report provided recommendations for Ameren to consider in designing an LMI community solar program.
APPRISE conducted a study on the non-energy benefits (NEBs) of the Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program. The ESA Program provides no-cost weatherization and energy efficiency measures to achieve energy savings and improved health, comfort and safety for low-income households served by the IOUs in CA. This study reviewed the NEBs proposed in a previous study and developed a streamlined model for estimating the value of the NEBs.
APPRISE conducted research for the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board to explore existing NEI values nationally, regionally, and for CT; gaps in existing CT NEI data; and survey research and data analysis that can address NEI measurement. The study explored and assessed the current state of the art for measuring NEIs both nationally and regionally, where and how NEIs are used in calculating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs, how the inclusion of NEIs has impacted energy efficiency programs across the U.S., the best available estimates of the NEIs for CT programs and measures, and how NEIs could be measured and incorporated in future CT evaluations.
The Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program provides funding to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities through services that address employment, income management, education, housing, nutrition, and health. APPRISE is working with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Community Assistance to develop a Performance Management Website and Data Warehouse that facilitates the analysis of performance measurement data reported by grantees of the CSBG Program. APPRISE is also providing training and technical assistance to the Division of Community Assistance, grantees, and other partners of the CSBG Program in the use of these performance management resources.
- Levels and Types of Energy Insecurity – Estimation of the rate at which low-income households face various types of energy problems and examination of survey respondent reports on the extent to which energy assistance restores home heating and cooling for households experiencing service interruptions.
- Factors Related to Energy Insecurity – An analysis of the factors associated with energy problems including poverty level, energy burden, geographic region and other demographic and housing factors.
- Performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale – An assessment of the performance of the Home Energy Insecurity Scale in measuring the impacts of energy costs on low-income households compared to other Energy Insecurity measures used in the past.
APPRISE is conducting a study for the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to document the characteristics of households eligible for energy and water assistance programs in the District and to estimate the impacts of program benefits on households’ energy and water burdens. This study will use Census data, program participation data, and utility billing data to make recommendations for the District’s program design.
APPRISE conducted a comprehensive review of the District of Columbia’s LIHEAP benefit determination procedures and researched strategies for integrating solar benefits with its LIHEAP program. The study included assessing energy burden among LIHEAP recipients using energy bill data collected for the LIHEAP Performance Measures, conducting pilot research on energy burden for LIHEAP recipients with heating costs included in their rent, and developing an alternative benefit structure that accounts for energy burden while optimizing outcomes across low-income programs offered in the District of Columbia.
APPRISE reviewed DOEE’s LIHEAP design and made recommendations for program modifications in 2018. This study assessed DOEE’s LIHEAP procedures, analyzed the population of households eligible for energy assistance, and calculated the impacts of the assistance on participants’ energy burden. The study furnished DOEE with information needed to modify its program benefits design matrix in a way that meets the statutory guidance furnished to DOEE by the federal LIHEAP program.
As a result of the 2018 study, DOEE modified its LIHEAP program benefits design matrix. In 2020, APPRISE worked with DOEE to calculate the impact of those changes on participants’ energy burden, update analyses of households eligible for energy assistance, and assess how best to integrate DOEE’s Solar for All program with the LIHEAP program.
APPRISE conducted research for the District of Columbia’s Office of the People’s Counsel to assess energy affordability for residential consumers. The analysis explored the energy affordability needs of different types of residential consumers, examined how utility initiatives impacted their energy burden, and characterized the design and implementation of energy affordability programs implemented in other states. Based on the research conducted APPRISE made recommendations on how to improve energy affordability programs offered to residential consumers in the District.
The purpose of this study was to assist DDOE’s efforts to mitigate the rising energy costs on those with the highest home energy needs, greatest energy burdens, and least amount of available resources. The study focused on households that pay utility gas and/or electric bills, and are income-eligible and program-eligible for rate discounts. The study characterized the population of households that are eligible for rate discounts, estimated the rate discount program penetration rates, and analyzed how the rate discounts complement the LIHEAP program to reduce energy burdens for participating households.
APPRISE conducted research for the Environmental Defense Fund to document low-income energy efficiency (LIEE) programs in four states and around the country. The research assessed the state-level policy and program design changes that are necessary to overcome barriers and fully realize the benefits of LIEE. The topics that were explored included the Regulatory and Program Structure of LIEE offerings, Barriers to and Potential for Investment in Low-Income Energy Efficiency, Best Practices for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs, and Policies and Financing Mechanisms. The report answered three core questions: 1) How does the current regulatory and program structure of LIEE offerings in each state impact the scale, speed, and efficiency of deployment, 2) What are the specific barriers to deploying LIEE to levels approaching its potential, and 3) What are some of the best practices for LIEE program design, marketing, reporting to expand LIEE in each target state.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) contracted with APPRISE to conduct research and provide recommendations on how they could improve the application and eligibility determination process for their Energy Assistance Program (EAP). APPRISE undertook an analysis of IHCDA’s current policy, identified EAP pain points and barriers, conducted research on other states’ LIHEAP administration, and developed policy and procedures recommendations for IHCDA. The proposed changes include shorter- and longer-term revisions to policy that will reduce client burden, improve program integrity, and result in larger reductions in participant energy burden.
Furthermore, Congressional Committees indicated in 1994 that LIHEAP grantees needed to reassess their LIHEAP benefit structures to ensure that they are targeting those low income households that have the highest energy costs or needs. The purpose of this evaluation study was to assess to what extent the LIHEAP program is serving the lowest income households that have the highest energy burdens. The study uses data from the 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) to examine the distribution of income and energy burden for low income households and identify those that have the lowest incomes and highest energy burdens (i.e., high burden households). The study uses the 2001 RECS LIHEAP Supplement to measure the effectiveness of the FY 2001 LIHEAP program in serving high burden households. The study quantifies program effectiveness using targeting performance measures. The study also identifies procedures for updating energy burden targeting performance statistics in the future.
APPRISE was contracted to furnish technical support to the Division of Energy Assistance in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services. As part of this support, APPRISE is assisting in the development of performance measurement procedures. APPRISE also developed annual State-level targeting performance data that assess the extent to which States targeted energy assistance to low-income and vulnerable households.
APPRISE developed a database for the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel to generate customized statistics on characteristics of the low-income population in Maryland. The database allows users to analyze income, demographic, energy, and housing characteristics of the low-income population at the state, region, and county levels using data from the American Community Survey. The database will be used to evaluate energy programs and analyze rate cases that impact low-income customers.
APPRISE conducted a comprehensive review of the Massachusetts LIHEAP program’s benefit determination procedures. The study included evaluations of program goals and procedures, assessments of energy burden outcomes among LIHEAP recipients using energy bill data collected for the LIHEAP Performance Measures, and engagement with the program’s stakeholders to determine the next steps in developing updated benefit determination procedures to improve client outcomes.
The 2021 Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Working Group was created by the Department of Commerce in Minnesota to make legislative recommendations to increase the number of low-income Minnesota households served by WAP and explore ways to leverage existing funding and identify new funding sources for weatherization. The WAP Working Group contracted with the University of Minnesota to conduct a research study to inform their recommendations. APPRISE contributed to this research by providing a report that characterizes WAP funding and programs, identifies other low- and moderate-income energy efficiency programs in Minnesota and around the country, and makes recommendations for expansion of Minnesota’s WAP.
The Community Service Block Grant Program provides funding to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities through services that address employment, income management, education, housing, nutrition, and health. APPRISE supported the National Association of State Community Service Programs in the development of a Data Warehouse for the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. We developed tools for reporting, validation, and analysis of performance measure data at the local, state, territory, and national level. Additionally, APPRISE supported state efforts to collect and report new performance metrics established by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services. This project has led to improved data quality, an enhanced understanding of CSBG outcomes, and will be used to inform program decision-making.
APPRISE conducted research for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to assess participation and outreach for the New Jersey LIHEAP and Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. The study used publicly available survey data and state program data to assess the characteristics of the income-eligible and LIHEAP-recipient populations. The study also estimated participation rates among different segments of the low-income population. Local agency interviews and a review of state and local outreach methods provided information on opportunities and barriers to increasing program participation. The research furnished DCA with data and analysis needed to develop outreach strategies and policies to increase LIHEAP participation.
APPRISE is conducting a study for NYSERDA to document demographic and energy-related characteristics of the low-income population in New York State, estimate the impact of existing programs that target low-income households, and provide recommendations for improving New York’s Energy Affordability Policy (EAP). This study will use Census data to examine the demographic characteristics, income distribution, energy burden, and geographic distribution of low-income households in New York. It will also leverage program data to assess the impact of energy assistance and other program initiatives. This study will help inform NYSERDA and the New York State Public Service Commission to assess programmatic and policy changes to the EAP.
APPRISE conducted research to characterize the low- and moderate- income populations in New York State, to estimate the impact of existing programs that target these populations, and to identify opportunities for future program outreach and targeting. This study analyzed publicly available population, housing, and energy data; program data; and specialty data on health indicators, population mobility, and economic characteristics. The research provided the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and program partners throughout the New York State government with comprehensive information that can be used to improve program models, estimate program potential, and measure program accomplishments.
NYSERDA’s NY-Sun Solar Program provides incentives and funding to support solar photovoltaic projects throughout New York State, and strives to include low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in the benefits of solar. NYSERDA contracted with APPRISE to analyze public data, program participant data, and survey data; characterize the NY-Sun solar adopter population; and identify future LMI targeting opportunities. First, APPRISE analyzed the characteristics of NY State households by region, including the percent that are LMI. Second, APPRISE compiled information from multiple NY-Sun programs and used public data to project the income levels for program participants based on their location. Next, APPRISE conducted an online survey with more than 900 solar participants to collect income and demographic data. APPRISE compared the projected income distributions to the survey-based estimates and developed a methodology and tools to identify LMI households and regions to be used in NYSERDA’s program outreach and eligibility verification.
NYSERDA is engaged in the development of the New Efficiency initiatives to help New York State accelerate energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease consumer energy costs, and create job opportunities. NYSERDA is responsible for ensuring that low- and moderate-income (LMI) households benefit directly from these new initiatives through targeted programs. APPRISE was responsible for furnishing research and analytic support to identify program design considerations, document portfolio costs and impacts, and present options for the engagement of NYSERDA, the utilities, and the publicly funded programs. As part of this research, APPRISE developed detailed documentation of the LMI energy efficiency programs implemented in ten comparable states and identified program models that may help to expand NYSERDA’s current LMI offerings.
NYSERDA operates multiple programs to support adoption of solar PV and energy storage in New York State. NYSERDA is conducting a study to examine market adoption, balance of system and soft costs, system performance, and equity in the distribution of solar and storage benefits. APPRISE is supporting the development of research questions for the study’s equity framework, implementing customer surveys to collect income and other data, and conducting analysis of program and other data to assess the distribution of solar benefits to disadvantaged communities.
PSE&G implemented a low-income multi-family smart thermostat pilot program in their New Jersey service territory in 2018. The program installed Nest, Honeywell, and Ecobee thermostats in 943 units within 16 projects, half of which also received a network solution for connectivity. APPRISE conducted a comprehensive evaluation of this pilot program. This research included market characterization to assess the potential for expanded implementation; interviews with property managers, implementation staff, and building managers; a quantitative survey with program participants; and a usage impact analysis to estimate the impact of the program on electric and gas usage.
The Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) is a national in-person survey of energy use in residential housing units conducted by the U.S Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). In this project, APPRISE developed Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) participation data for respondents to the 2009 RECS survey. This task included obtaining information on RECS sample locations and respondent addresses, collecting LIHEAP administrative data from LIHEAP program managers, matching LIHEAP administrative data to RECS respondents, developing statistical procedures for addressing survey non-response and weighting issues, and furnishing documentation regarding the procedures used to fulfill the objectives of this task.
The Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) is a national in-person survey of energy use in residential housing units conducted by the U.S Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). In this project, we updated the national area probability sample frame, selected the sample, recruited and trained interviewers, collected data, processed the data, analyzed the data, and conducted an energy supplier follow-up survey. In 2005, APPRISE was a part of a sample redesign project for the RECS, which involved evaluating the performance of the 1993 design, developing design alternatives, and implementing the listing and sample selection procedures selected by EIA. As part of this effort, we also designed procedures to incorporate a supplemental sample of LIHEAP recipient households.