Utility/WAP Combined Programs
Introduction to Advice from Peers: Utility Programs in WAP Agencies
In FY 2000, Economic Opportunity Studies was awarded a Department of Energy grant to find and record elements of successful partnership programs combining utility-funded energy efficiency programs and Weatherization Assistance Program services. A series of group meetings and interviews resulted in the attached presentation of both successful program designs and of program problems in eleven states. Subsequent studies have provided additional "lessons". Very specific issues related to the design of and rules for the programs and relationships. They are organized into seven categories:
- Audits & Diagnostics
- Goals and Performance Measurements, Including Costs and Benefits
- Quality Assurance and Growth Management
- Client Eligibility Criteria
- Timing
- Allowable Measures
- Management and Sharing of Client and Fiscal Data
The focus group discussions made it clear that conventional wisdom and past practice can lead to utility/WAP program designs that are counterproductive. This guide addresses the ‘Don’ts’ as well as the Best Practices, or ‘Do’s’. The abbreviated advice presented in the matrix is the result of several long stories. During FY 2002, EOS is prepared to share the stories with parties interested in design and policy issues and to provide referrals to the relevant project participants for peer-to-peer advice. A list of key participants appears as the last page of the matrix.
Q# 1: Who should use the matrix?
A:
- Program managers in local and state Weatherization agencies and in utility corporate offices who are considering the implementation, or re-design, of a utility-sponsored low-income energy efficiency program.
- State regulators or legislators with responsibility for design and/or oversight of Public Benefit Fund programs or similar significant utility low-income efficiency initiatives.
- Private sector contractors, ESCO’s, consultants, and evaluators who need to know why an initiative may have fallen short and what really works.
Q# 2: What material is in here that I can use?
A: The matrix shows simplified advice on very specific elements in the design of electric and gas utility programs that invest in energy efficiency in low-income housing. Its purpose is to alert those working on utility/WAP projects to a list of policy and management issues that have been important in the success or failure of utility programs managed by local DOE Weatherization agencies. It summarizes the advice of those who have years of experience in resolving those issues in eleven states.
Q# 3: Where can we get more detail on these points?
A: This format only shows the program design issues to consider and the locations where they have been tested with either good or poor results. Once introduced to the issue or problem, program designers should try to get detailed information, including the context and history in which design element was tried. Many of the Weatherizers who have participated in the in-depth discussions are listed at the back of this paper. The staff of the E.O.S. WetherizationPlus is also available to provide details. E-mail Meg Power, the project manager ,at: megpower@opportunitystudies.org.
Q # 4 Isn’t every state’s, and even every utility’s, situation different? Isn’t it hard to compare to these other programs?
A: Of course! But also, not really. Look at the number of states shown per issue or per piece of advice, and note that experiences and opinions were shared in very different places and in spite of their different programs.
Certain program constraints are the same in many places:
- The structure, rules, and resources of the DOE/WAP
- The extreme poverty of those eligible and their consequent lack of capital for long term investment;
- The technological inputs to cost-effective efficiency investments;
- Good diagnostics;
- The evaluation of major space conditioning and appliance investments;
- The quality of materials and equipment needed;
- The types of consumption and expenditure data available to energy suppliers;
- The desire to make a program successful to the key stakeholders and the ratepayers at once.
All of these factors limit some possible activities and make others dramatically more promising.
Q# 5: What if I disagree, or what if I think you are missing a key program design element?
A: Please e-mail EOS at once to be interviewed and recruited into our upcoming focus group meetings! info@opportunitystudies.org . The Leveraging Partnership Project is recording the results of WeatherizationPlus partnerships. More Weatherizers and their utility programs are gaining experience every year; we need to include your judgments.
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