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OEAP
Increases
By Melissa Torgerson, Oregon Housing & Community
Services
February 7, 2008
Every Oregonian is impacted by
skyrocketing energy costs, however, rising prices influence low
income households disproportionately. For example, in 2006, the
poorest 68,000 Oregonians (≤ 50% of federal poverty level) were
paying over 36% of their monthly budget toward utility bills.
Electricity
is not a luxury item that people can simply “choose” not to pay.
Paying the utility bill is necessary to maintain basic health and
safety standards in terms of heating, cooling, refrigeration and
cooking. High energy burdens force low-income households to make
tough household budget decisions between utilities and other
“discretionary” (yet necessary) items like food or prescriptions.
These
everyday choices have serious physical, mental and social side
effects for children in particular, including but not limited to
illness, school performance and behavioral issues. Recent studies
conducted by the Boston Medical Center found that children in
low-income households are losing weight during the winter, as their
families are eating less to pay their electric bills.
A
large number of Oregonians served (~ 60%) are elderly or disabled,
and already have very low energy consumption levels. A 2005 study
found that over 16% of low-income energy assistance recipients became
sick because they were keeping their homes too cold.
In
1999, Senate Bill 1149 passed through the legislature—initiating
the Oregon Energy Assistance Program. This legislation required both
Pacific Power and Portland General Electric to collect meter fees
from ratepayers--totaling $10M annually. Through the statewide
Community Action Network, this money is redistributed back to PGE and
PC territories to prevent low income households from service
disconnection.
However, in 2006—only 20% of the 419,000
income eligible households were able to obtain assistance through the
combined OEAP and Federal LIHEAP funding, resulting in long lines and
waiting lists at local agencies. Therefore, partners began work to
place SB 461 in front of the 2007 Oregon Legislature. This bill would
increase the collected amount from $10M to $15M, with allowance for
load growth.
The
hard work and collaboration of the statewide network paid off, and SB
461 was passed and signed this past summer. It is anticipated that
these additional funds will assist approximately 12,500+ more
low-income households each year, reducing service disconnection for
around 35,000+ PGE and PacificPower households annually.
In
January, 2008, increased funding allocations (≈ 51%) will be
provided to partners across the state. In addition to simply serving
more individuals, members of the Community Action Network have taken
their efforts to the next level--re-evaluating the delivery of their
program and finding ways to better serve the needs of their local
communities. For example:
At NeighborImpact [Deschutes, Crook
and Jefferson counties], the Energy staff will increase their
presence within the tri-county through the “Answer Van”--which
will allow intake workers to meet with eligible households in the
fields or at their place of employment. This service addresses the
obstacles many households face when trying to balance employment and
intake appointments.
At ACCESS [Jackson County], a new
scheduling system will be put into place, making it easier for low
income households to schedule appointments and avoid long lines in
inclement weather. This computerized database will also more
efficiently channel staff resources toward serving households--rather
than managing long waiting lists and complex appointment schedules.
At CAO [Washington County], additional space/staff will be
placed in multiple satellite offices, making it easier for residents
at each end of the county to access energy related appointments and
services.
These are just a few of the ways agencies
across the state are “thinking outside of the box” to meet the
energy needs of low income households in their communities. Do you
have questions or comments regarding the Oregon Energy Assistance
Program? Please call Oregon Housing and Community Services at
503-986-2134.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colton,
Roger, 2007. “Home Energy Affordability Gap: Oregon.”
Child
Health Impact Working Group, 2006. “Unhealthy Consequences: Energy
Costs and Child Health.”
NEADA, 2005. Energy Assistance
Survey Data
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