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| APPRISE Projects: |
Low-Income Usage Reduction Program Research and Evaluation |
Ameren Low-Income Weatherization Program Evaluation AmerenUE has partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Energy Center and other utilities to provide weatherization services to low-income households through the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP). The goal of the program is to provide energy efficient improvements to low-income customers to reduce their utility bills and help them prepare for the heating and cooling seasons. APPRISE is conducting a process and impact evaluation of the weatherization program. The goals of this research are to assess the effectiveness of the program and to identify opportunities for program improvement. |
Colorado Energy Efficiency Program Evaluation Colorado's Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation implemented new energy efficiency initiatives in 2006 to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes. The initiatives include a First Response Program to provide low-cost, cost-effective energy efficiency measures and education and an E$P Plus Initiative to provide heating system and other appliance replacement. APPRISE is providing evaluation research on these new programs, and additional research on Colorado's ongoing E$P weatherization services. |
Colorado Energy Efficiency Program Technical Assistance The State of Colorado has made funding available for a number of energy initiatives. One of those initiatives is the Mass Distribution of Energy Efficiency Services. Under this initiative, the State of Colorado contracted with local community based organizations (CBOs) to provide energy saving devices and/or energy education services to low-income households. APPRISE assisted Colorado's Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation in identifying service delivery models and vendors that have proven track records for successful program implementation; determining data needs for short-term assessments and long-term impact analysis; and developing a framework for service delivery agencies to develop an effective program design, prepare a responsive proposal, and meet program management and information requirements. |
Colorado Mass Distribution: Policy Memo on Program Models and Options The State of Colorado has implemented a new Energy $ervices, First Response program targeted to low-income households with average or below average levels of electricity and gas consumption. This program aims to reinforce energy efficient behaviors and help low-income households to reduce their energy consumption. Prior to implementation, APPRISE conducted research on the service delivery models for high-volume, low-cost services that have been implemented in other states. This 2006 memo furnishes information on the program models and the organizations and/or vendors who implemented the programs and makes recommendations to Colorado regarding the applicability of these models to the Energy $ervices, First Response program. |
Colorado REACh Evaluation The 2004 Colorado REACh grant developed a comprehensive cooling program to assist Colorado’s low-income households. Local agency partners implemented cooling program services, including equipment installation and client education, and the state LIHEAP office furnished community-wide education and notification services. APPRISE conducted a comprehensive Process and Impact Evaluation of this program. |
ECA REACh Cool Homes Program Evaluation |
Illinois REACh Evaluation The Illinois REACh project is an innovative pilot program that works to help low-income households maintain energy service throughout the year and reduce the health and safety risks associated with energy service disruption. The comprehensive program will work with clients to increase resources available for paying energy bills, reduce the amount of energy used through effective energy-saving actions and participation in usage reduction programs, and develop the skills that are needed to maintain energy service through proactive management of their monthly budgets and energy bills. APPRISE is conducting an evaluation of this program to assist program managers in assessing whether the program design is appropriate, whether there are any barriers to implementing the program as designed, and whether the program has achieved the intended impacts. |
National WAP Evaluation APPRISE is the lead contractor for the evaluation of the National Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). APPRISE has three key partners for this effort – Blasnik and Associates, Dahloff Associates, and the Energy Center of Wisconsin, and will also be supported by technical experts from across the country. The evaluation will consist of data collection from state WAP offices, local agencies, and participating and nonparticipating clients. Utility data will be collected and analyzed for a sample of clients from every state and submetering studies will be conducted to assess impacts on clients who use bulk fuels and to conduct special technical studies. The evaluation will assess program operations and delivery, energy impacts, and non-energy impacts, and make recommendations for modifications to program design and delivery. |
New Hampshire REACh Evaluation The New Hampshire REACh Furnace Cleaning Program aimed to decrease energy usage and reduce home energy insecurity for low-income households in northern New Hampshire by cleaning furnaces and identifying furnaces in needed of repair and replacement. Extensive furnace repairs and furnace replacements were also provided in those homes where the need was identified. APPRISE's evaluation included interviews with program managers, community agency staff, and furnace cleaners; and analysis of the impact of the program on energy usage, energy insecurity, and furnace safety and efficiency indicators. |
New Jersey Comfort Partners Program Evaluation |
New Jersey Comfort Partners Seniors Pilot Impact Evaluation |
New Jersey Weatherization Assistance Program Evaluation The purpose of this research was to furnish the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the New Jersey Clean Energy Council with detailed documentation of the existing weatherization programs in New Jersey and estimates of the usage reduction impacts of the NJ WAP. The analysis addressed the differences and similarities between the program models and the rationale for each program’s design. The evaluation also provided impact results for two agencies that provide WAP services in New Jersey. This information was designed to help the BPU and the Clean Energy Council assess which model might be most appropriate for a ratepayer-funded low-income usage reduction program. |
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Niagara Mohawk LICAP Program Evaluation Niagara Mohawk's Low-Income Customer Assistance Program (LICAP) was designed to address the problems of low-income customers who are unable to pay their full energy bills. Payment-troubled customers may receive an affordable payment arrangement, energy use management education, and a variety of energy efficiency services including weatherization and energy efficient appliance replacement. APPRISE conducted Process and Impact Evaluations of this program. |
NYSERDA EmPower Program Research NYSERDA’s EmPower Program provides cost-effective electric reduction measures to low-income households. These measures include lighting and refrigerator replacements, insulation, air-sealing, heating system repair and replacement, and health and safety measures. The program provides in-home energy use education to customers to assist them with strategies for managing their energy costs. Participants are also invited to energy-use management and financial management workshops held in communities across the state. APPRISE is conducting surveys with EmPower Program participants to assess pre- and post-program energy use and potential opportunities to refine the program. APPRISE is conducting surveys with nonparticipants to assess barriers to program participation. |
Ohio Electric Partnership Program Process Evaluation |
Ohio REACh Evaluation Ohio's Department of Development, Office of Community Services, has been awarded a REACh grant to research how they can provide additional resources to low-income weatherization services in a way that addresses the more comprehensive needs of low-income households. These funds will be used to assess the in-home environmental health risks for vulnerable individuals, prioritize usage reduction measures to meet the energy and health needs of vulnerable individuals, and provide additional measures that enhance the health and safety of the home. The program will also establish a partnership with vulnerable households to take actions to mitigate the environmental health risks in the home and refer clients to other services that can improve the health of the home and the clients who live there. APPRISE is conducting a process and impact evaluation of this project. |
PECO LIURP Evaluation (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) PECO's Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) provides energy efficiency services and energy education to PECO's low-income customers to help them reduce their energy usage and increase the affordability of their energy bills. The evaluations estimated the impact of LIURP on participants' energy usage, energy bills, and payment compliance and surveyed customers to analyze the impact of energy education and client behavioral changes. The current evaluation of 2008 program participants will examine the impact of program treatments on energy usage and energy affordability. |
PPL Electric Utilities Winter Relief Assistance Program Evaluation PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) implemented the Winter Relief Assistance Program (WRAP) in 1984 to help reduce electric bills and improve home comfort for low-income customers. The objectives of the WRAP are to reduce energy usage and bills of low-income customers and to increase low-income customers’ ability to pay their electric bills, resulting in reduced arrearages. The program also aims to increase health, safety, and comfort for low-income occupants; create and maintain partnerships with community based organizations and contractors; and make referrals to other low-income assistance programs. APPRISE conducted a comprehensive Process and Impact evaluation of PPL’s WRAP. The research consisted of administrative interviews, review of program procedures, on-site observation of service delivery, customer interviews, service delivery provider interviews, and usage and payment impact analyses. |