Equitable Solutions to Rural Energy Burdens
Channel: eesionline
Date: 2019-07-17

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA), and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) held a briefing about innovative utility programs that are working to alleviate energy burdens faced by U.S. rural households.

Speakers:

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC)

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA)

Curtis Wynn
CEO, Roanoke Electric Cooperative (North Carolina); President, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Curtis_Wynn_071619.pdf

Mary Shoemaker
Senior Research Analyst, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Mary_Shoemaker_071619.pdf

Chris McLean
Assistant Administrator, USDA Rural Utilities Service
Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Chris_McClean_071619.pdf

Chad Lowder
CEO, Tri-County Electric Cooperative (South Carolina)

Mark Cayce
General Manager, Ouachita Electric Cooperative (Arkansas)
Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Mark_Cayce_071619.pdf

Doug O'Brien (MODERATOR)
President and CEO, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA)

The briefing showcased how rural electric co-ops and other rural utilities can benefit from USDA funding opportunities, such as the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) that was renewed in the latest Farm Bill. This program enables co-op members to upgrade their homes and businesses to cut their energy costs, which, in turn, supports jobs and rural economic growth by keeping more dollars in the local economy.

Rural residents face higher energy burdens than their metropolitan counterparts. Energy efficiency is a key strategy for alleviating these energy burdens. But utilities serving rural communities often face challenges funding and/or delivering these services for their members, and the upfront costs of energy upgrades are often unaffordable for their rural customers. RESP can help fill this funding gap for rural utilities by providing no-interest loans to fund cost-effective projects, which can be repaid by customers on their utility bills over time. Such projects include efficiency retrofits, on- and off-grid renewables, energy storage, and beneficial electrification. These programs are part of a broader effort by many co-ops and other rural utilities to play a greater role in rural economic development by providing their member-customers with a wider range of services, delivered equitably to members at all income levels.

EESI's Access Clean Energy Savings program provides no-cost help to rural electric cooperatives and public power utilities seeking to apply for RESP funds to launch renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

EESI would like to thank The JPB Foundation and the New York Community Trust for helping to make this briefing possible.