Energy Vulnerability

Philadelphia Launches New, Income-Based, Tiered Assistance Program

On June 20th, 2017, the city of Philadelphia announced the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) which provides customers with significant savings on their water bill by offering a consistent bill based on their income. Program highlights include:

•    Customers do not have to be...Read more

A Pandemic and Surging Summer Heat Leave Thousands Struggling to Pay Utility Bills

This article is particularly relevant to investigations on energy vulnerability, but also particularly relevant to predictions of compounded vulnerabilities made by the research group before the first round of interviews. For example, one of the people interviewed said she was forced to shut her...Read more

Living without power: Health impacts of utility shutoffs in California

This report by TURN discusses all of the impacts created by the problematic policy of shutting utilities off for residential customers. Beyond a discussion on health impacts, the report also considers the already precarious conditions of the communities that experience the highest rates of...Read more

2017 LIHEAP Advocate's Guide - National Low Income Housing Coalition

This document is a 2017 advocates guide for the federal LIHEAP program, produced by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. It provides a synopsis of the history/purpose for the LIHEAP program, a program summary, a funding forecast for the program in 2017, and talking points for advocates...Read more

Lifting the High Energy Burden in America’s Largest Cities: How Energy Efficiency Can Improve Low Income and Underserved Communities

This report provides a snapshot of energy burdens in cities across the US. It focuses on the high home energy burdens faced by select groups in major metropolitan areas. Years of analysis by the firm of Fisher Sheehan & Colton determined that low-income households pay proportionally more...Read more

Massachusetts’ new efficiency plan puts a priority on underserved communities

Massachusetts’ new $668 million three-year energy efficiency plan is awaiting approval from the state Department of Public Utilities. This plan include provisions to increase outreach and expand eligibility in underserved communities and pay utilities for providing services in these...Read more

Utility shutoffs threaten a fresh crisis for low-income and Black families as Covid surges again

This article details the situations of the moratorium across different states. The article also talks about several widespread worries: unemployment and the end of subsidies happening soon. Important to consider is the environmental injustice in Georgia, as the state is seeing rise in daily...Read more

Philadelphia Water Department 2021 Proposed Rate Increase

This artifact is a presentation created by the Philadelphia Water Department regarding their proposed rate increase. Without increased rates, according to PWD, they will have insufficient revenues to meet operating and legal requirements in FY2023. The Department withdrew a rate request in 2020...Read more

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