Overview
The CPUC's Low Income Energy Services include the Low Income Energy Efficiency (LIEE) program and California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program. The objective of each is to mitigate the impact of energy costs on disadavantaged ratepayers.
LIEE helps low income customers increase their comfort while reducing their energy consumption, costs, and hardship. The program provides no-cost weatherization services, appliance replacement, and education to low-income households.
CARE provides customers that are enrolled a 20 percent discount on their electric and natural gas bills.
DRA's Position
DRA is pleased to support the LIEE and CARE programs through participation in Rulemaking 07-01-042.
DRA supports:
- expanded LIEE and CARE programs which reach all eligible households and provide each customer with cost savings through complete energy efficiency services and rate discounts
- efficient LIEE and CARE programs with low administrative costs
- transparent program administration
- effective leveraging of alternate funding sources that allow the cost of LIEE and CARE services to remain low for California's ratepayers
Recent Activity
2009-2011 LIEE and CARE Program and Budget Applications: DRA is actively participating in the evaluation of utility program applications for program years 2009-2011. The following filings represent DRA's position on the applications:
- August 1, 2008: DRA files a brief recommending increased LIEE and CARE participation standards, lower program costs, and procedural systems to allow for programs to be refined. For complete information review the DRA LIEE and CARE 09-11 Brief, including the DRA LIEE and CARE 09-11 Brief Appendices.
- July 17, 2008: DRA advocates for increase LIEE/CARE program participation, greater accountability, and improved program design through a workshop held to consider utility budget applications for program years 2009-2011. To learn more check out this Transcript from the July 17 workshop.
- June 19, 2008: DRA filed a protest to utility program applications for years 2009-2011. DRA cited deficiencies in the utility applications. DRA Protest to utility LIEE/CARE Applications for 09-11.
- June 11, 2008: DRA filed a Prehearing Conference Statement.
- March 25, 2008: DRA filed comments on how to improve LIEE and CARE program delivery, marketing, and outreach.
Community Outreach
DRA recently teamed up with the CPUC's Public Advisor's Office to host focus groups with representatives from low income communities served by LIEE and CARE. The focus groups gave insight into how the CPUC's low income energy services are meeting the needs of California's low income ratepayers.
DRA is pleased to share a summary of what DRA learned from the CBO focus groups.
Links of Interest
The CPUC's LIEE site provides guidance on eligiblity and a list of phone numbers customers can use to enroll.
For more information on eligbility, how to enroll, and more, visit the CPUC's CARE site.
The Low Income Oversight Board website is an catalogue of reports and filings related to California's low income energy services.
A history of LIEE, CARE, and LIHEAP.
Fisher, Sheehan, & Colton's excellent research on home energy affordability is availabe at: http://www.homeenergyaffordabilitygap.com/
The California Budget Project's A Generation of Widening Inequality.