NEADA report projects record levels of utility expenditures

On Monday, a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center for Energy Poverty, and Climate (CEPC) found that the financial burden to families of keeping cool will increase by nearly 8 percent this summer.

The report projected that summer cooling costs will be on average $719 from June through September, up from $661 during the same time period last year. The report said the rise can be attributed to rising summer temperatures and higher rates of extreme heat events over the last decade. Since 2014, the cost of summer cooling has risen $243 on average, based on NEADA, based on NOAA temperature data and EIA electric usage and price data.

That increase in cooling costs leaves low-income families at heightened risk, officials said. With federal funding for low income home energy assistance program reduced by $2 billion, states have reported they will have no choice but to reduce the number of households served by about one million, and reduce heating and cooling benefits. About 80 percent of program funds will be used for heating, leaving only 20 percent available for home cooling.

Only 17 states and the District of Columbia have summer shut-off protections, leaving low income households in 33 states with no protections from dangerous health conditions caused by prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Additionally, some 20 percent of very low income families have no air conditioning to help them during extreme heat situations. For households who will have their electricity shut off during the summer, families will face more dangers from extreme heat when opening a window will only make things worse.

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