Centering Affordability in Low-Income Home Electrification Programs

Centering Affordability in Low-Income Home Electrification Programs

Date: Tuesday, September 10, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Target Audience: Community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Non-profit Organizations, small businesses, local governments, state governments, Tribes

Description: Nobody wants electrification to increase energy bills for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. But what’s the best way to design electrification programs to deliver climate and health benefits while avoiding negative impacts to energy bills? This workshop will discuss the urgency of electrifying low- and moderate-income homes, potential positive and unintended consequences of electrification for energy-burdened households, and best practices for ensuring post-electrification bill affordability. We will discuss how program administrators can assess whether it's the right time to electrify and we’ll provide space for interaction with peers and experts in the field.

After this workshop you should be able to answer the following questions:

What is efficient electrification?
What are the reasons to electrify?
Why is it important not to leave low- and moderate-income (LMI) households behind?
How does electrification impact energy bills (and when might it NOT reduce energy bills)?
What strategies can be used to reduce post-electrification energy bills for LMI households?
*    Mostly, this will focus on electric heat pumps

Plan your time:

1:00-1:35 p.m. ET - Presentation and Q&A: Electrification Primer

• What is efficient electrification?
• What are the reasons to electrify?
   

1:35-2:15 p.m. ET - Panel of Experts

• Why prioritize LMI households?
• What does it mean to decarbonize equitably?
• Is our work done in warm climate states?
• Should we electrify LMI homes in cold climate states?

2:20-2:30 p.m. ET - Break

2:30-3:35 p.m. ET - Presentation and Q&A: Mitigating Post-Electrification Bill Impacts

• Why is it important not to leave low- and moderate-income (LMI) households behind?
• How does electrification impact energy bills (and when might it NOT reduce energy bills)?
• What strategies can be used to reduce post-electrification energy bills for LMI households?
   

3:35-4:00 p.m. ET - Breakout Discussions

Peer sharing about local challenges and taking action to improve electrification program results for LMI households.

Speakers:

Andreanecia M. Morris 

Executive Director

HousingNOLA

Andreanecia M. Morris serves as the Executive Director for HousingNOLA, a 10-year public private partnership working to end New Orleans’ affordable housing crisis.  Morris has spent her career working to create affordable housing in Metro New Orleans.  Post Katrina, she implemented programs that created 500 first-time homebuyers, secured $104.5 million soft second subsidy for Metro New Orleans, and provided supportive services for approximately 5,000 households. Morris was lead organizer for the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA) when it started in 2007 and, since its incorporation in 2012 as a regional housing alliance, Morris has served as GNOHA’s Chair.

 

Annika Brindel

Director, Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Annika Brindel leads R2E2’s work to scale up energy upgrades of both subsidized and unsubsidized affordable housing, leveraging training and technical assistance to drive policy and program innovation, especially in frontline communities. Prior to joining ACEEE, Annika led the National Housing Trust’s energy efficiency policy work in the Midwest, before which she led energy efficiency collaboration among public power utilities for the Alliance to Save Energy. Annika holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in American history and German from Wesleyan University.

 

Dan Lawlor

Environmental Policy Analyst, ENERGY STAR Products Labeling

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Dan Lawlor is an environmental policy analyst with the US EPA, in the ENERGY STAR Products Labeling branch. He works with key stakeholders, including manufacturers, utilities, and efficiency organizations to develop tools and resources that raise awareness of ENERGY STAR certified HVAC equipment, with a particular focus on heat pumps, and the new initiative from ENERGY STAR, the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade. Mr. Lawlor engages stakeholders on ENERGY STAR initiatives and in creating promotional efforts to educate consumers on the benefits of these products. Prior to his role at ENERGY STAR, Mr. Lawlor worked at The Cadmus Group, where he supported ENERGY STAR initiatives in strategic marketing, stakeholder facilitation, and program analysis

 

Katharine Kaplan

Chief Strategy Officer, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry

U.S. Department of Energy

Katharine Kaplan, Chief Strategy Advisor, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE, is charged with accelerating the equitable decarbonization of U.S. buildings.  Before joining DOE, Katharine managed EPA’s team responsible for developing ENERGY STAR® specifications for more than 75 product types.  Katharine began her career at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Master of Public Administration.

 

JahAsia Jacobs

Qualitative Research Analyst

Rewiring America

JahAsia Jacobs is a Qualitative Research Analyst at Rewiring America. She supports the supports the research team as a trained anthropologist with a Master of Arts degree from Princeton University. At Rewiring America, she conducts interviews, focus groups, and surveys with frontline EJ communities to advance the organization’s implementation projects and broader goal to electrify everything. She is based in Northern Vermont. 

 

Jim Young

Associate Director, Energy, Sustainability, & Infrastructure

Guidehouse

Jim Young specializes in building energy systems, including emerging technology evaluation, market assessment, and program support for utilities, government agencies, manufacturers, and private organizations. His work provides insight into the technical performance, cost-effectiveness, and market feasibility of products and services in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed energy, and advanced controls. He has a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in sustainable engineering from Villanova University.   

 

Rebecca Olson

 Sr. Director of Residential and Community Energy

Center for Energy and Environment

Rebecca directs activities related to all residential and community-based programs and consulting work. She leads a strong team that works across disciplines to bring the most effective energy efficiency solutions to residents, owners and communities. Rebecca has worked in energy efficiency since 2006 and has had various roles in the energy efficiency field including energy auditor, building science educator, and program director. She has served on various trades and community related boards like the MN Building Performance Association, the Building Performance Institute's (BPI) Standards Technical Committee, the Building Performance Association, and the Minneapolis Energy Vision Advisory Committee.