1. Secure Non-Federal Funds for Low-Income Energy Consumers a. Mediate in UTC general rate case adjudications, workshops, rulemakings, and proceedings impacting lowincome consumers. b. Engage with consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, and municipalities on development and implementation of energy assistance programs (bill assistance, renewable energy projects). c. Participate in the development of grants and other funding proposals to expand resources for low-income households. 2. Build Relationships and Collaborate a. Attend and present at relevant national and state conferences (e.g., Low-Income Advocates’ Peer Exchange, National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference, Washington LIHEAP Training & Technical Assistance Conference). b. Engage with UTC staff, utilities, and other stakeholders as needed. c. Participate in national low-income energy advocacy networks (e.g., NEUAC, NCAP, NEADA). 3. Advocate and Organize a. Engage strategically in the process for the implementation of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) including working with new and existing advocates engaged in the rulemaking proceedings and workshops occurring at the UTC b. Work with stakeholders in effectively advocating for meaningful statewide policy regarding maintaining affordable essential utility services for low-income and vulnerable communities c. Work with BPA’s customer utilities in advancing funding and program delivery for low-income energy assistance. d. Engage in discussions with utilities, UTC Staff, Public Counsel, agency service providers, and other stakeholders regarding ways to reach more households with energy assistance e. Participating in Avista, Cascade Natural Gas, NW Natural, PacifiCorp, PSE energy efficiency, low-income bill assistance advisory groups, and resource planning advisory groups f. Advocate for appropriate agency program project coordination/indirect implementation costs in the deployment of energy assistance programs g. Protect the interests of low-income customers in discussions, investigations, or tariffs regarding or implementing lost margin recovery, decoupling, incentives to promote utility energy efficiency, feed-in tariffs, higher base charges, exorbitant penalties and reconnection charges, etc. h. Monitor consumer protection issues, such as the application of the prior obligation rule, disconnections, bill collection activities, etc. i. Participate in other relevant Utilities and Transportation Commission dockets or rulemakings, as they arise, time of use rates, demand charges, and other relevant topics j. Provide information regarding impacts on low-income households with the state legislature as requested
