A model for a community-based energy efficiency program (CBP) that can be implemented in one community in an electric utility company's service territory as a pilot to test program designs, willingness of town officials and businesses to participate, coordination with other resource savings, and financing methods.

What utility regulatory commisions need in order to approve utility low-income efficiency programs that coordinate with DOE weatherization.

This study shows how both environmental and social welfare principles were advanced in the context of an energy regulatory process in a poor US southern state. Electric power in the southern US has been relatively inexpensive for about 70 years, so policymakers have had very little motivation to develop cheaper alternatives such as energy efficiency. With the possible exception of biomass, there is very little native renewable energy in the South that is economic. Further, clean energy and low-income supports have been relatively low political priorities over the years. However, over the past decade, with marketization of the natural gas and electricity industries throughout much of the nation, power costs even in the South have risen and become less affordable for low-income and other customers. At the same time, environmental concerns have led utilities and policy-makers to look for more sustainable resources than the dirty coal and expensive gas typically used to generate much of the electricity in the South. Thus, the stage was set for a significant policy shift in Arkansas in 2006 and 2007. . . .

Low Income Network responds to DPU inquiry to consider regulatory strategies to encourage demand-side resources.

Consumers are already burdened with utility bills that have as much as doubled at a time when most incomes have barely risen. Utility proposals to as much as double infrastructure investment must be reconciled with the need for affordable utility service. Key strategies include efficiency and reduction of risk. Special consideration is needed for low-income consumers.

Deregulation has not advanced efficiency or renewable initiatives and has had adverse consequences for consumers, including high and volatile prices, power shortages, and consumer frauds.

How regulation advances both efficiency and renewables and how citizens can participate in that public process.

Public-private partnerships require strong regulation, transparency, and tenacious NGOs with resources. A successful example is the Low-income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) in Massachusetts, but what the World Bank calls "state capture" is much more common.

Word document is presentation to Tripartite Meeting. Acrobat document is later, expanded ILO Working Paper.

Benefit-by-benefit description of how benefits of low-income energy efficiency exceed costs by 7:1. Submitted to President Bush by Entergy. Similar arguments can be used for cost-effectiveness of low-income energy assistance.

Proposal by power plant developer to mitigate its Carbon Dioxide emissions by investing in Energy Efficiency in local schools and other government buildings.

One way to lessen the impact of electric industry restructuring, and to protect customers from the volatility and rising prices restructuring brings, is for states to provide comprehensive energy efficiency and education programs to low-income customers.