Many states have assistance payment and/or energy efficiency and education programs for their customers living on low incomes, for whom the energy burden is high. There is not one single model of program; rather, each state has adopted a model that meets its own particular circumstances. Programs include direct payment assistance, arrearage management, customer protections, education, and energy efficiency and weatherization. Studies have shown that these assistance and efficiency programs are very cost-effective when benefits to the utility, low-income customers, all other customers, and society are taken into account. They also provide a degree of social equity and are broadly supported by non-participating customers when all customer sectors pay for them. To be successful, all of the programs require that outreach be done to enroll the most needy of a states citizens. Outreach efforts include community meetings, utility bill inserts, media placements, and automatic sign-ups or negative check-offs. Finally, no matter which type of program is adopted, results need to be evaluated and effectiveness assessed, although the amount spent on evaluation should not outweigh the value of the information obtained. Over the long term, if a utility companys programs are successful, the average energy burden for low-income customers should decline.
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