LA100 Equity Strategies. Chapter 5: Low-Income Energy Bill Equity and Affordability

Abstract

The Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study, or LA100, revealed that although all communities in Los Angeles will share in the air quality and public health benefits of the clean energy transition, increasing equity in participation and outcomes will require intentionally designed policies and programs. The LA100 Equity Strategies project was specifically designed to help Los Angeles identify pathways to such policies and programs in the form of equity strategies. The project aimed to do this by incorporating research and analysis to chart a course toward specific, community-prioritized, and equitable outcomes from the clean energy transition outlined in the LA100 study.1 Federal Weatherization Assistance Program-eligible households are those living at or below 200% of U.S. federal poverty guidelines. 2 These funds were spent as part of the EZ-SAVE program. 3 Lifeline program eligibility is based on income qualification for customers who are 62 years of age or older or who are permanently disabled. viii communities, 4 and mostly non-White, Hispanic, renter, and lower-income census tracts. Despite these significant program investments, the same demographic groups have the most utility disconnections stemming from bill payment failures. In 2022, LADWP ended its practice of disconnects for a limited set of customers (primarily EZ-SAVE enrollees and Lifeline customers) as a debt collection tool (Haley Smith 2022). Although long-term low-income assistance investments have been significant, LADWP's January 2022 Rates and Equity Metrics Board Package noted the low-income assistance program has "minimal outreach efforts by LADWP to customers," "no targeted communications to customers," "no formal engagement with community-based organizations," and has experienced a "reduction in customers recertifying for the program" (Santilli, Ann and Adams, Martin 2022).