EVALUATING THE NEW YORK ENERGY $MART~(SM) LOW-INCOME ENERGY AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM (LEAP)

摘要

The purpose of the New York Energy $Mart~(SM) LEAP evaluation was (1) to identify, measure, and report the outcomes of LEAP and the impacts it has had on progress toward goals and on its targeted customer population; (2) to incorporate evaluation findings, conclusions, and lessons-learned into the evolving program strategy; and, (3) to help public policy makers determine whether low-income energy-assistance programs, funded through the SBC, should continue in New York, and at what level. NYSERDA's administration and evaluation of the New York Energy $Mart~(SM) LEAP has been an administrative, programmatic, and evaluation learning experience. NYSERDA has gathered market intelligence about the targeted population of low-income customers it has already, and plans to serve. NYSERDA has also learned the importance and value of forming partnerships with stakeholders such as State agencies, investor-owned utilities, community-based organizations, and low-income advocates that share similar missions and responsibility toward low-income households. Furthermore, NYSERDA has learned that its evaluation of the New York Energy $Mart~(SM) Program, and especially the LEAP portfolio, is both a process and a tool. The process must be well coordinated for it to effectively work as a tool that (1) evaluates market needs based on direct customer input and feedback; (2) facilitates the design of appropriate intervention strategies through an orchestrated program strategy; and (3) reports market progress and adjusts program inputs through a portfolio evaluation that focuses on both progress toward goals, as well as achievement of individual program initiative objectives. Statewide, low-income energy assistance programs represent less than eight percent of the more than $4 billion in total low-income energy costs per year. Lessons learned and results to date from evaluating the New York Energy $Mart~(SM) LEAP show that low-income customer energy services continue to be necessary and public benefits programs are essential in New York. Thus integrating LEAP evaluation with program design enhancements, and furthering efforts to consolidate and coordinate existing energy assistance programs targeted to low-income energy consumers is necessary to ensure consumer protections are provided, especially in a competitive energy market.