Coordinating Customer Assistance Programs in Ohio

1. Coordinating Customer Assistance Programs in Ohio Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director and Counsel Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy PO Box 1793, Findlay, OH 45839-1793 419/425-8860 * 419/425-8860 – FAX drinebolt@ohiopartners.org * www.ohiopartners.org

2. Origins of Ohio Programs • 1983 Commission Ordered Investigation • Precipitated by increased heating costs & disconnections. • Five field hearings. • Winter Reconnect Order • Pay $175 to prevent disconnection or reconnect service. • No income limit. • Replaced annual moratorium. • Weatherization application required. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

3. Origins of Ohio Program -- II • Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). • Available to households under 150% FPL. • 10% of income for primary heating sources and 5% for secondary heating source. • Appealed by industrials. Upheld as a payment plan so it is not rate discrimination. • Due Process and Notice Prior to Disconnection. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

4. Weatherization – The Demand Side • WAP • Caulk and plastic. • Wall and attic insulation. • Blower doors. • Pressure diagnostics. • Weatherization Performance Standards (WPS). • Joint State/Utility Program • Columbia Gas • Oil Overcharge Funds. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

5. Weatherization Programs II • Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) • Availability: Statewide – PY06 funding -- $29,946,430; 6915 units ($3,250/unit). • Eligibility: 150% of poverty line. • Services: Program focuses on reducing heating costs. Some health and safety services also funded. Consumer education. • Electric Partnership Program (EPP) • Availability: Service territories of Cincinnati Gas & Electric; Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI), Columbus Southern Power; Dayton Power & Light; Monongahela Power; Ohio Edison; Ohio Power; and, Toledo Edison. – PY07 Funding -- $12 million; 10,000 units estimated. ($1,200/unit). • Eligibility: Must be a participant in the Percentage Income Payment Plan. • Services: Electric baseload services including high efficiency light bulbs, refrigerator and freezer replacements. Heating system upgrades and weatherization for electrically-heated homes. Consumer education. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

6. Weatherization Programs III • Warm Choice Program • Availability: Columbia Gas of Ohio service territory. • Eligibility: 150% of poverty line. -- $5.5 million; 1,800 units est. ($3,000/unit). • Services: Emergency heating unit (furnace or boiler) repair or replacement. Other weatherization and health and safety related services, including natural gas stove repair. Program often combined with HWAP. Housewarming Program • Availability: Dominion East Ohio (including former West Ohio Gas service territories). $3.5 million; 1,750 units est. ($2000/unit). • Eligibility: 150% of poverty line. • Services: Emergency heating unit (furnace or boiler) repair or replacement. Other weatherization and health and safety related services, including natural gas stove repair. Program often combined with HWAP. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

7. Weatherization Programs • Dayton Power & Light Weatherization Program • Eligibility: 150% of poverty line. • Services: Program focuses on reducing heating costs and baseload electric measures. Some health and safety services also funded. • Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio Weatherization Program • Availability: Dayton Power & Light service territory. $265,000. • Availability: VEDO service territory. $1.1 million. • Eligibility: 200% of the poverty line. • Services: Emergency heating unit (furnace or boiler) repair or replacement. Other weatherization and health and safety related services, including natural gas stove repair. Program may be combined with HWAP. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

8. Weatherization Programs • Community Connections Program • Availability: FirstEnergy service territories – CEI, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison. $2.7 million – 2,384 units ($988/unit). • Eligibility: 150% of poverty line or families of military personnel called to active duty. • Services: Baseload electricity services; wiring replacements and upgrades, roof repairs and replacements; electric, heating and cooling system repairs and replacements; and, weatherization for electrically heated or cooled homes. • Northeast Ohio Natural Gas • Availability: NEONG service territory. $16,200 – 6 units ($2,700/unit). • Eligibility & Services: See Columbia Gas Warm Choice Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

9. Program Integration • SB 3 • Required Single Application. • Application by mail, online, or in person. • Combines bill payment, efficiency and consumer education. • Utility Program Intake – closure of customer service offices. • Weatherization and Efficiency • Consumer Education. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

10. Future Challenges • OCEAN – Ohio Community Energy Assistance Network. • Phase I – HEAP & PIPP; CSBG. • Phase II – weatherization and efficiency. • Intra-Agency Referrals and Integrated Intake. • DSM Program Expansion. • Can we carve out the median income customer base and integrate with other services. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy