North Carolina has the opportunity to unlock energy savings for disproportionately burdened low-income households by expanding and enhancing already existing EE programs. This includes but is not limited to:
- Supporting strong investment in EE for low-income customers through our North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS).
- Utility-administered programs, particularly with investment in EE for affordable housing.
- On-bill financing mechanisms that protect consumers while allowing households to pay back the cost of the EE improvements over time.
- Investing in programs designed for multifamily housing – a largely untapped EE market.
- Save taxpayer dollars through state and local lead-by-example programs.
- Strengthen or maintain robust energy efficiency codes for buildings.
Investing in EE programs in North Carolina will provide low income households with benefits beyond utility bill savings, including easing economic and social stresses (including fewer trade offs between energy and other necessities), providing families with more disposable income, and increasing property values for homeowners.[ref]Lifting the HIgh Energy Burden in America’s Largest Cities, 2016[/ref]
