ACAA & Energy Assistance

1. ACAA & Energy Assistance Bringing Utilities and Customers Together to Benefit All

2. Why We Do It • In 2013 Arizona had the fifth worst poverty rate in the nation.[1] • Income for working households has dropped, while child poverty has increased.[2] • There are nearly three applicants per available job, down from six since the Great Recession.[3] • The energy burden of low-income households has increased since 1997.[4] [1] http://azeconomy.eller.arizona.edu/AZE13Q1/poverty_measures_Arizona.asp [2] http://stateofworkingamerica.org/great-recession/falling-income-rising-poverty/ [3] http://stateofworkingamerica.org/charts/job-seekers-ratio-total/ [4] http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocs/fy2009_liheap_notebook.pdf

3. Societal Benefits Beyond the strong return on investment to the company, broader community benefits are realized. • Improved health – more manageable utility bills do not force customers to make difficult choices to: compromise nutrition or hygiene, reduce or forego medical care such as medications and doctor visits. • Community Stabilization – neighborhoods are safer with well-lit homes, there is less property abandonment and homelessness, kids learn better in well-lit, warm surroundings, risky behaviors are reduced. • Greater Community Wealth – our network of community-based organizations provides holistic case management to customers. Identifying and working with troubled customers gives us an opportunity to bring greater wealth to the household through: • Access to more public benefits • Earned income tax credits • Employment support • Education and job training • Energy conservation

4. Benefits for Utility Companies • Positive cash flow • Risk Reduction • Positive Public Relations