This respondent is facing financial hardships due to unemployment induced by COVID-19, and stated that the utility moratorium has been helping her cope with increased expenses. This is significant- the moratorium, at least while its in effect, is doing what it's supposed to be doing, which is alleviating burdens for those in vulnerable positions because of the pandemic. Unfortunately this respondent applied to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program on their own, made a mistake and had to correct it, and had yet to receive assistance through this program at the time the interview was administered, meaning they had to wait at least a couple of months to get the assistance they needed. This highlights the strain on social services and government agencies during the pandemic due to compounded hardships and saturated application pools. It also highlights the importance of NECs to assist individuals with applications so that applications can be approved in a timely manner during crisis.
This respondent stated that they switched to alternate energy suppliers a couple of times, but switched back because they weren't eligible for assistance programs like CAP with the other suppliers. In most other interviews, or for at least the interviews I've conducted, folks cite switching back to PECO because their rates spiked even though they were told their rates would be lowered by the AES. This is not only due to AES's misguiding people to retain customers, but also due to the fact that customers who previously were on CAP are then in a position where they aren't on assistance programs.
This respondent wasn't familiar with the term "renewable energy" (reoccurring theme), but was familiar at least with solar panels when the interviewer listed various renewable energy sources. They also believe that the energy transition is urgent, and was therefore able to make the connection between fossil fuels, renewable energy, and global warming:"I think it's pretty urgent. Yeah, I believe something has to give. Global warming and those kind of things that are going on and we're heating up and not cooling down [inaudible 00:18:34]. A healthy one that's not, like we said, come at the cost for the customer like we said."
As someone facing financial hardships, this individual was familiar with NECs, and knew to go to them to receive energy assistance. They also articulated the different programs that exist for energy assistance such as LIHEAP and UESF.
