This document summarizes the challenges facing small electricity consumers in New Brunswick and proposes ideas to better balance their needs against the regulated utility. It notes the large debt held by NB Power creates rate pressures, while low-income households have incomes that do not keep pace with rising expenses. Ideas to help small consumers include examining the utility's rate design and cooperation with efficiency programs, lowering disconnection rates, and establishing a consumer advocate. The document calls for the regulator to ensure the rate-setting process is not discriminatory towards small consumers.
Jono Shaffer's Lighting a Fire PresentationSEIU Local 721
California and many parts of the US are facing economic crisis due to the housing crash and recession. The document outlines the dire situation in California with high foreclosure and unemployment rates and billions lost in home wealth and state budget deficits. It argues that Wall Street practices like predatory lending, excessive risk-taking, not paying taxes, and huge executive compensation caused the crash and continue to hurt the economy through lack of lending and exploitation of taxpayers. It calls for taking the fight directly to the big banks and corporations through direct campaigns to change their practices and policies and make them accountable for the role they played in driving communities into crisis.
This document proposes replacing the current US housing finance system with state-sponsored enterprises (SSEs) that would localize homeowner credit risk management. It argues that local governments are best suited to assess credit risk in their communities and should play an active role in a new housing system. The document suggests having SSEs at the state and local level that would take on functions similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac but make credit decisions locally rather than nationally. This would help compartmentalize economic problems and prevent failures in one area from collapsing the entire system.
“Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region” reports on a long-term study of regional economic indicators. The research is ongoing and spans a period of time to enable us to understand and report trends. This project is expected to continuously build on a base of economic information and provide decision makers with valuable tools for strategic planning. The information will also provide a basis for comparison with other regions and a measure of our progress.
A government must address issues that its citizens face to keep them happy and help the overall state. This document outlines some problems occurring in local communities, such as losing business to larger competitors, fishermen being forced out, declining industry leading to unemployment and fewer jobs for graduates. Addressing these local issues could help the state by solving important problems faced by its people.
A coalition of state Attorneys General and federal government have announced a settlement with five large mortgage servicers regarding foreclosure abuses. The settlement establishes standards for loan modifications and limitations on fees to help homeowners. It also provides some principal reductions and protects homeowners' rights. While an important start, more work is needed to provide full relief to homeowners and strengthen mediation programs.
It's time for an Illinois public bank! Take a look at the Bank of North Dakota (http://banknd.nd.gov), which makes the money of the people of North Dakota work FOR them! Join us at http://www.illinoispublicbanking.org.
Jono Shaffer's Lighting a Fire PresentationSEIU Local 721
California and many parts of the US are facing economic crisis due to the housing crash and recession. The document outlines the dire situation in California with high foreclosure and unemployment rates and billions lost in home wealth and state budget deficits. It argues that Wall Street practices like predatory lending, excessive risk-taking, not paying taxes, and huge executive compensation caused the crash and continue to hurt the economy through lack of lending and exploitation of taxpayers. It calls for taking the fight directly to the big banks and corporations through direct campaigns to change their practices and policies and make them accountable for the role they played in driving communities into crisis.
This document proposes replacing the current US housing finance system with state-sponsored enterprises (SSEs) that would localize homeowner credit risk management. It argues that local governments are best suited to assess credit risk in their communities and should play an active role in a new housing system. The document suggests having SSEs at the state and local level that would take on functions similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac but make credit decisions locally rather than nationally. This would help compartmentalize economic problems and prevent failures in one area from collapsing the entire system.
“Economic Indicators: An Update for the 7 Rivers Region” reports on a long-term study of regional economic indicators. The research is ongoing and spans a period of time to enable us to understand and report trends. This project is expected to continuously build on a base of economic information and provide decision makers with valuable tools for strategic planning. The information will also provide a basis for comparison with other regions and a measure of our progress.
A government must address issues that its citizens face to keep them happy and help the overall state. This document outlines some problems occurring in local communities, such as losing business to larger competitors, fishermen being forced out, declining industry leading to unemployment and fewer jobs for graduates. Addressing these local issues could help the state by solving important problems faced by its people.
A coalition of state Attorneys General and federal government have announced a settlement with five large mortgage servicers regarding foreclosure abuses. The settlement establishes standards for loan modifications and limitations on fees to help homeowners. It also provides some principal reductions and protects homeowners' rights. While an important start, more work is needed to provide full relief to homeowners and strengthen mediation programs.
It's time for an Illinois public bank! Take a look at the Bank of North Dakota (http://banknd.nd.gov), which makes the money of the people of North Dakota work FOR them! Join us at http://www.illinoispublicbanking.org.
The document analyzes changes in Alberta's economy and fiscal policy from 1989 to 2008. It finds that over this period:
- Government spending as a portion of GDP declined significantly while corporate profits more than doubled.
- Income inequality grew substantially, with the incomes of the top 1% rising much more than average Albertans.
- Royalties from oil and gas resources declined markedly as a share of corporate profits.
- Public opinion polls show Albertans believe government should do more to fund healthcare and reduce greenhouse gases even if it means running deficits.
This document summarizes a 2-year research project on financial inclusion and debt in Teesside, UK. The project included household interviews and a mentoring scheme. Key findings include that credit is used to smooth incomes for basic needs and social events. Debt levels are normalized in communities and credit is seen as the only option. Households juggle multiple debts and feel a lack of control over finances. Getting credit enables participation in consumer society and purchasing social inclusion. Alternatives discussed include credit unions and potential caps on credit costs.
- Detroit won a commitment from Barclays for $275 million in financing to fund its exit from bankruptcy, if a judge approves its debt-cutting plans.
- The money from Barclays would pay off previous borrowing, creditors, and help revitalize the city.
- Detroit filed for bankruptcy unable to provide services and meet financial obligations due to decades of economic and population decline. It has since cut deals to reduce its $18 billion in liabilities.
This report by the Organization for Revised Lottery Policy examines Missouri's state lottery and finds issues with how lottery proceeds are allocated and spent. While lottery revenues are intended to fund education, the legislature is not required to do so and in practice only a small percentage of funds (3.8%) go towards K-12 education budgets. The report also notes problems with compulsive gambling and lack of oversight on where lottery money is actually spent. It proposes reforms like reducing prize payouts, adding excise taxes on tickets, and requiring independent studies to improve transparency and allocation of funds.
The document is promoting an e-cycle drive to raise $10,000 by December 31, 2011 for Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund. It is requesting donations of used electronic items like cell phones, GPS devices, MP3 players, laptops, camcorders, digital cameras, blue ray players, and gaming consoles. Donating these used electronic gadgets will help support cancer patient care assistance through the fund.
This document discusses U.S. tax policy and charitable giving. It provides statistics on total charitable giving amounts and compares U.S. giving to other countries. It examines who benefits from tax incentives for charitable donations and questions whether the incentives primarily benefit wealthier donors and organizations like universities over those serving low-income communities. The document reviews estimates on how sensitive giving is to tax changes and who ultimately decides how donated funds are allocated. It concludes that while tax incentives encourage civil participation, more progressive tax policies may be needed to adequately address social welfare issues.
A View at the Financial Collapses in the United States and the Evolution of t...Joel Stitt
MBA Thesis presentation on United States Financial Collapses, specifically the Housing Market Crash of 2008 and the Great Depression, and the evolution of the banking and financial services industry over the past century
Adam Langley of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy surveys the landscape payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), payments made voluntarily by tax-exempt nonprofits as a substitute for property taxes, in New England.
The energy market is open for business.
Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania are 3 of the 17 states to deregulate their energy markets.
This has created an electrifying opportunity for results-driven individuals like you to earn full-time, part-time or supplemental income by helping residents and businesses lower their utility bills by choosing our lower energy rate. The more people you help save money, the more income you earn. It's that simple!
This document presents a radical new understanding of the housing bubble and financial crisis. It argues that the crisis was caused by a supply problem, not a credit problem as regulators assumed. Before 2008, housing prices in all areas increased as households moved to cheaper cities to reduce costs. After 2008, the credit shock cut prices significantly and locked many buyers out of the market. However, housing, especially low-end housing, is now undervalued and obstacles to building are pushing down interest rates. Real estate appears risky but was made volatile by a one-time demand shock, so past volatility may indicate future stability. Carefully chosen real estate investments could provide opportunities.
Unshackle Upstate issues Memo of Support for Property Tax Cap bill.Unshackle Upstate
Unshackle Upstate, a bi-partisan coalition of over 80 business organizations representing 1.5 million employees, supports legislation to cap the growth of real property tax levies imposed by local governments and school districts at 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. New York has the highest local taxes in the country, with the median property tax being nearly double the national average, causing many residents to say the state has become unaffordable. A circuit breaker would not effectively address the issue, while a cap can slow growth without hurting services, as shown by Massachusetts' experience with a similar cap.
The document provides information about Techno Renewable Energy Systems, a technical consultancy for CSP solar power generation projects in India. It details the company's services such as consulting for parabolic trough and dish farms from 1 MW to 1000 MW. It also describes the technologies involved like parabolic trough collectors and solar tracking dish technologies. The company provides molten salt storage technology for steam turbines. It aims to help investors in government funded solar projects in India.
Power plant technology involves the engineering and processes used to generate electricity. There are three main types of power plants: thermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear. Thermal power plants burn fossil fuels to heat water and create steam that spins turbines connected to generators. Hydroelectric plants use the kinetic energy of moving water from dams to drive turbines. Nuclear plants use controlled nuclear fission to heat water and create steam to power generators.
This lecture looks at Determinism and Technological Determinism. This lecture is part of the Media and Cultural Theories module on the MSc and MA in Creative Technology and Creative Games at The University of Salford.
Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power Sajjadul Ponni
This presentation discusses the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. The key advantages are that nuclear energy is a clean source of energy that produces low carbon emissions. It also produces high quantities of energy from small amounts of fuel. However, the disadvantages include the risks of nuclear weapons proliferation, radioactive waste storage challenges, high capital costs, and risks of accidents and disasters like Chernobyl or Three Mile Island that can impact surrounding populations and environments. While nuclear provides a large clean energy source, effectively managing its risks and waste remains an ongoing challenge.
- Low-income households in the US spend a disproportionate amount (20-25%) of their income on energy costs compared to median households that spend around 5% of income. This amounts to over $65 billion annually spent on energy by low-income families.
- Direct energy assistance through programs like LIHEAP only provides around $5.1 billion annually, which is insufficient to address the scale of the problem. Improving energy efficiency of housing could help address this issue more effectively.
- Investing in energy efficiency measures has broader societal benefits beyond just reducing energy costs for low-income households. It can delay infrastructure investments, lower emissions, and provide more economic stimulus through the multiplier effect of each
The document analyzes changes in Alberta's economy and fiscal policy from 1989 to 2008. It finds that over this period:
- Government spending as a portion of GDP declined significantly while corporate profits more than doubled.
- Income inequality grew substantially, with the incomes of the top 1% rising much more than average Albertans.
- Royalties from oil and gas resources declined markedly as a share of corporate profits.
- Public opinion polls show Albertans believe government should do more to fund healthcare and reduce greenhouse gases even if it means running deficits.
This document summarizes a 2-year research project on financial inclusion and debt in Teesside, UK. The project included household interviews and a mentoring scheme. Key findings include that credit is used to smooth incomes for basic needs and social events. Debt levels are normalized in communities and credit is seen as the only option. Households juggle multiple debts and feel a lack of control over finances. Getting credit enables participation in consumer society and purchasing social inclusion. Alternatives discussed include credit unions and potential caps on credit costs.
- Detroit won a commitment from Barclays for $275 million in financing to fund its exit from bankruptcy, if a judge approves its debt-cutting plans.
- The money from Barclays would pay off previous borrowing, creditors, and help revitalize the city.
- Detroit filed for bankruptcy unable to provide services and meet financial obligations due to decades of economic and population decline. It has since cut deals to reduce its $18 billion in liabilities.
This report by the Organization for Revised Lottery Policy examines Missouri's state lottery and finds issues with how lottery proceeds are allocated and spent. While lottery revenues are intended to fund education, the legislature is not required to do so and in practice only a small percentage of funds (3.8%) go towards K-12 education budgets. The report also notes problems with compulsive gambling and lack of oversight on where lottery money is actually spent. It proposes reforms like reducing prize payouts, adding excise taxes on tickets, and requiring independent studies to improve transparency and allocation of funds.
The document is promoting an e-cycle drive to raise $10,000 by December 31, 2011 for Stevie JoEllie's Cancer Care Fund. It is requesting donations of used electronic items like cell phones, GPS devices, MP3 players, laptops, camcorders, digital cameras, blue ray players, and gaming consoles. Donating these used electronic gadgets will help support cancer patient care assistance through the fund.
This document discusses U.S. tax policy and charitable giving. It provides statistics on total charitable giving amounts and compares U.S. giving to other countries. It examines who benefits from tax incentives for charitable donations and questions whether the incentives primarily benefit wealthier donors and organizations like universities over those serving low-income communities. The document reviews estimates on how sensitive giving is to tax changes and who ultimately decides how donated funds are allocated. It concludes that while tax incentives encourage civil participation, more progressive tax policies may be needed to adequately address social welfare issues.
A View at the Financial Collapses in the United States and the Evolution of t...Joel Stitt
MBA Thesis presentation on United States Financial Collapses, specifically the Housing Market Crash of 2008 and the Great Depression, and the evolution of the banking and financial services industry over the past century
Adam Langley of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy surveys the landscape payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), payments made voluntarily by tax-exempt nonprofits as a substitute for property taxes, in New England.
The energy market is open for business.
Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania are 3 of the 17 states to deregulate their energy markets.
This has created an electrifying opportunity for results-driven individuals like you to earn full-time, part-time or supplemental income by helping residents and businesses lower their utility bills by choosing our lower energy rate. The more people you help save money, the more income you earn. It's that simple!
This document presents a radical new understanding of the housing bubble and financial crisis. It argues that the crisis was caused by a supply problem, not a credit problem as regulators assumed. Before 2008, housing prices in all areas increased as households moved to cheaper cities to reduce costs. After 2008, the credit shock cut prices significantly and locked many buyers out of the market. However, housing, especially low-end housing, is now undervalued and obstacles to building are pushing down interest rates. Real estate appears risky but was made volatile by a one-time demand shock, so past volatility may indicate future stability. Carefully chosen real estate investments could provide opportunities.
Unshackle Upstate issues Memo of Support for Property Tax Cap bill.Unshackle Upstate
Unshackle Upstate, a bi-partisan coalition of over 80 business organizations representing 1.5 million employees, supports legislation to cap the growth of real property tax levies imposed by local governments and school districts at 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. New York has the highest local taxes in the country, with the median property tax being nearly double the national average, causing many residents to say the state has become unaffordable. A circuit breaker would not effectively address the issue, while a cap can slow growth without hurting services, as shown by Massachusetts' experience with a similar cap.
The document provides information about Techno Renewable Energy Systems, a technical consultancy for CSP solar power generation projects in India. It details the company's services such as consulting for parabolic trough and dish farms from 1 MW to 1000 MW. It also describes the technologies involved like parabolic trough collectors and solar tracking dish technologies. The company provides molten salt storage technology for steam turbines. It aims to help investors in government funded solar projects in India.
Power plant technology involves the engineering and processes used to generate electricity. There are three main types of power plants: thermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear. Thermal power plants burn fossil fuels to heat water and create steam that spins turbines connected to generators. Hydroelectric plants use the kinetic energy of moving water from dams to drive turbines. Nuclear plants use controlled nuclear fission to heat water and create steam to power generators.
This lecture looks at Determinism and Technological Determinism. This lecture is part of the Media and Cultural Theories module on the MSc and MA in Creative Technology and Creative Games at The University of Salford.
Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power Sajjadul Ponni
This presentation discusses the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. The key advantages are that nuclear energy is a clean source of energy that produces low carbon emissions. It also produces high quantities of energy from small amounts of fuel. However, the disadvantages include the risks of nuclear weapons proliferation, radioactive waste storage challenges, high capital costs, and risks of accidents and disasters like Chernobyl or Three Mile Island that can impact surrounding populations and environments. While nuclear provides a large clean energy source, effectively managing its risks and waste remains an ongoing challenge.
- Low-income households in the US spend a disproportionate amount (20-25%) of their income on energy costs compared to median households that spend around 5% of income. This amounts to over $65 billion annually spent on energy by low-income families.
- Direct energy assistance through programs like LIHEAP only provides around $5.1 billion annually, which is insufficient to address the scale of the problem. Improving energy efficiency of housing could help address this issue more effectively.
- Investing in energy efficiency measures has broader societal benefits beyond just reducing energy costs for low-income households. It can delay infrastructure investments, lower emissions, and provide more economic stimulus through the multiplier effect of each
Interested in installing a solar system on your home or business, but unsure about the details? This presentation covers the following topics:
- Solar System cost/benefit analysis basics
- Financing basics
- Tax Incentives
This presentation is focused towards Iowa residents, but the details can easily be adjusted using your own situation.
Making the Shift to a Clean Energy Economy in New YorkJeremy Cherson
A Presentation by Jennifer Metzger, Co-Director of Citizens for Local Power. Learn more at www.citizensforlocalpower.com.
Presentation made on April 2nd, 2016.
IRRV2015 - Progress on Welfare Reform by Deven GhelaniPolicy in Practice
The IRRV Annual Conference 2015 featured this presentation by Deven Ghelani about Progress on Welfare Reform.
Understanding the impact of cumulative and future welfare reforms on individual residents was at the heart of Deven's talk.
Stark insights from welfare reform impact analysis work done with Leeds City Council and Birmingham City Council were shared.
Deven outlined how specific welfare reforms have different impacts and what these mean to individual residents.
Policy makers in local authorities need to make sure that their policies are appropriate to local needs. Yet, without the insights that councils like Leeds and Birmingham have secured, the risk is that support programmes are blanket and wasteful, not targeted and effective.
How to turn the usa into the world's biggest pv marketJigar Shah
The document outlines a path for the United States to become the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) solar market by 2020 through political will and policy changes. It argues that solar energy can create over 100,000 jobs per year and challenges conventional views of solar as subsidized. Transitioning to a distributed energy model has implications for electric utilities' business models. Political will is needed to convert positive public opinion into policies that facilitate interconnection standards, rate reforms, and universal access to drive large-scale solar deployment.
This document provides an overview of solar energy development across the United States. It discusses NC WARN, a nonprofit organization working to transition Duke Energy in North Carolina from fossil fuels to clean energy. The document defines key solar energy terms and concepts. It also outlines the evolution of solar costs declining and capacity increasing nationwide, though regulatory challenges remain from utilities seeking to limit distributed generation.
The American Public Power Association’s “Rate Design for Distributed Generation” report examines rate design options for solar and other distributed generation (DG), using public power utility case studies. The report discusses how utilities have educated customers about new rates, and how DG
and non-DG customers responded. While the rate design options have some drawbacks, and might not be technically feasible for all utilities, they offer the industry new models that account for the rate impacts of distributed generation.
The use of DG, particularly rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), is growing fast. As of October 2014, just under 8,000 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity was installed on residential and business rooftops across the United States (U.S.).1
The growth of DG has been spurred by environmental concerns and economic considerations. Federal and state tax incentives are a driving force behind solar PV installations
and can together cover up to 70 percent of the total cost of solar panels in some states.2 Declining solar panel prices have also fueled growth in rooftop solar. Utility rate structures for distributed generation have provided a significant benefit to solar customers.
As DG becomes more widespread, rate analysts and researchers are developing new rate designs to help ensure that utilities recover their cost of service, encouraging while providing appropriate incentives for rooftop solar deployment.
Utilities can no longer afford to take a wait and see approach in rate design for DG, nor should they assume that old rate designs adopted before the escalation in DG installations will work in the future.
Most utilities in the U.S. use net metering to measure and compensate customers for the generation they produce. However net metering has several shortcomings and results in non-DG customers subsidizing DG customers.
Utilities have options other than traditional net metering. Many public power utilities have adopted new rate designs to serve DG customers. Some of these rate designs supplement net metering by recouping more of their fixed costs through fixed charges, while other designs provide comprehensive alternatives to net metering.
Utility rate setters must balance between simplicity and accuracy, align costs and prices, support environmental stewardship, and ensure that rate designs are well suited to customers. Customer communication and engagement are essential components of the rate-setting process.
This report does not examine every rate design option, nor does it suggest a single best option. It offers alternatives
to traditional net metering, with case studies. Utilities
can consider how they can adapt rate designs to suit their community’s needs, factoring in market structure, state policies, and other considerations.
Jed Smith, Managing Director, Quantitative Research
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
North Carolina Real Estate Summit
Cary, North Carolina
July 16, 2013
This document summarizes information from a presentation given by Xcel Energy to Canadian investors in May 2007. It outlines Xcel Energy's strategy of focusing on fully regulated utility operations, highlights its leadership in renewable energy and environmental initiatives, and projects sustainable earnings growth of 5-7% through continued capital investment. Regulatory mechanisms allow for recovery of major capital expenditures and fuel costs.
This document summarizes information from a presentation given by Xcel Energy to Canadian investors. It outlines Xcel Energy's strategy of focusing on fully regulated utility operations, highlights their leadership in renewable energy and environmental initiatives, and provides projections showing expected sustainable earnings growth through 2020 driven by continued capital investments. Regulatory mechanisms across their jurisdictions allow for recovery of fuel and purchased power costs as well as major capital investments.
This document discusses fiscal federalism and problems faced by local governments. It notes that many countries have stratified or tiered systems of government with different levels having taxing powers, which can cause fiscal problems. There are issues around which level of government should fund and provide different services. Local governments face social problems like poverty and declining quality of spending. Their tax bases are often inelastic while expenditures are growing. Rationales for local government systems include matching geographic benefits of public goods to decision-making costs. The Tiebout-Musgrave "layer cake" model proposes that central governments handle stabilization and redistribution while local governments focus on allocation. It is criticized for assuming costless mobility and full knowledge, and for not accounting for external
This document discusses Xcel Energy's strategy for sustainable growth through investments in regulated utility operations and environmental leadership. It outlines Xcel's plans to invest in renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and environmental upgrades. This is expected to drive earnings per share growth of 5-7% annually and annual dividend growth of 2-4%. Regulatory mechanisms allow for recovery of major capital investments.
This document discusses Xcel Energy's strategy for sustainable growth through investments in regulated utility operations. It outlines Xcel's plans to invest in renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and environmental projects. Xcel expects this capital investment to drive 5-7% annual EPS growth and 2-4% annual dividend growth. The company operates under constructive regulation and has recovery mechanisms that allow passing costs through to customers.
Paul Howarth, Policy Consultant for Policy in Practice was invited to speak at the Westminster Briefing in November 2019 on the topic of 'Welfare reforms and reducing rent arrears'.
This presentation provided a detailed look of the current benefits system, a forecast of the latest Universal Credit updates as well as an overview of Policy in Practice's data-led approach to tackling poverty and reducing rent arrears.
For further information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk.
Tackling debt, financial resilience and vulnerability at LACEFPolicy in Practice
Deven Ghelani, Director and founder of Policy in Practice, was invited to speak at the Local Authority Civil Enforcement Forum on the topic of 'Debt, Financial Resilience and Vulnerability'. He focused on our early intervention work on arrears with local authorities who are using data analytics insights to identify vulnerability, target support and track change.
For further information visit www.policyinpractice.co.uk, call 0330 088 9242 or email hello@policyinpractice.co.uk
The GW Solar Institute working paper, Bridging the Solar Income Gap, details a wide range of policy tools to increase access to affordable solar energy, particularly for lower income families. These urgently needed tools could help unlock solar energy for all Americans and drive billions of dollars of solar wealth into lower income communities.
Policy in Practice analyst Juan Alvarez Vilanova spoke about How longitudinal analysis can help prevent poverty at at Public Policy Exchange's recent event.
Juan's talk featured case studies of data analysis for clients such as Croydon Council and Trust for London, The event was titled Preventing Further Poverty in the UK: Supporting and Improving the Lives of ‘Just About Managing’ Families.
This was originally intended to serve as a proposal for the "Community Challenge" grants program of the Partnership for Livable Communities (HUD/EPA/USDOT).
I have revised it to demonstrate that community engagement starts at the grassroots level.
Similar to Camput 2010 - Presentation on Electricity Regulation and the Small Consumer (20)
Camput 2010 - Presentation on Electricity Regulation and the Small Consumer
1. Electricity Regulation and the Small
Consumer: The View from Main Street,
in Saint John’s North End
A presentation by
Kurt Peacock
2007/08 Crabtree Scholar in
NB Public Policy
UNBSJ
2. A challenge rooted in history: how does
regulation balance the needs of the small
consumer against the regulated entity?
“…The specialists who were to staff a regulatory commission would be
restrained by the data they commanded. Unhappily this need not be the
case. Emanating in large degree from the organizations to be
controlled, the data explored by administrative commissions can often
capture them. In such a pass, regulation may approach consent, and
stability becomes stultification. Nor do experts, any more than other men,
live by data alone. Besides common colds and ulcers, they develop
loyalties and habits. In government, as in business or in education,
administrators become to some extent the victims of their institutions…
[they develop] a fatal disinclination to innovation, sometimes to
formalized action beyond the shuffling of bureaucratic dust.”
- historian John Morton Blum, writing on the challenge of effective
regulation in The Republican Roosevelt
3. Some Views of NB Power, both
within and outside the Boardroom
• “New Brunswickers in all walks of life seem to agree that ‘electric power pioneers
prosperity’ – that its greater use goes hand in hand with higher productivity, earning
power, and a better standard of living for all its citizens.” - from a 1954 Annual
Report
• “…We continue to make decisions that consider all options to build and sustain a power
grid for the province that is safe, reliable, and fairly-priced for all New Brunswickers.”
- from a 2005 Annual Report
• “With the last increase to the power rates in New Brunswick…we will not be able to
heat our home…with our home being heated totally be electricity we will be in the
position this coming winter to either heat our home or feed our bodies.” - signed
Starving and Freezing in Saint John, a letter sent to the regulator in Fall 2006
• “It is simply morally wrong to manage a company in such a manner as to cause it to
be in debt all the time and not make more meaningful action towards those who make
the decisions to become more inwardly fiscally responsible. Any more hikes over the
next 5 years is simply out of the question for those who barely stay warm now.” - a letter
from the former director of the Fredericton Emergency Shelter, sent to the regulator in
December 2007
4. The tension between small consumers and the public
utility is one of the most pressing issues facing the
provincial regulator
• 1/3 of province’s public debt is owed by the NB power group.
These billions, combined with escalating fuel costs, are creating
significant rate pressures on the utility...
• 60% of low income quintiles rent, according to Statistics
Canada. This population, which includes a number of seniors,
lone parent families, and other demographic groups, is often
vulnerable to rate shock…
• While major users routinely take part in the regulatory process,
the vast majority of the population is far removed from the
public hearings. This usually means that hard questions
surrounding rate equity - not to mention less-defined issues
related to customer service (disconnects, interest penalties) - are
often under-examined at rate hearings
6. In Saint John’s very high poverty neighbourhoods,
the majority of dwellings are rented. These
neighbourhoods are more dependent on government
institutions like the Rentalsman, and they are more
vulnerable to issues like energy poverty.
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
Percentage of
60.0%
dwellings that
50.0%
are rented
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
CMA City G.B.- Rothesay Quis pam s is Very High Fredericton Moncton NB Canada
Wes tfield Poverty DAs
7.
8. The Energy Challenge is especially pressing on low-
income households, whose incomes are not keeping
pace with expenses
NB Minimum Wage in Constant 2008 $
$10.00
$9.01
$9.00 $8.70 $8.66
$7.90 $7.75
$8.00
$7.29 $7.24
$6.94 $6.99 $6.86 $7.02 $6.95 $6.87
$6.70 $6.59 $6.77 $6.84
$7.00 $6.48
$6.00 $5.69
$5.13
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$2.00
$1.00
$-
1965 1967 1970 1972 1975 1978 1980 1982 1985 1987 1990 1992 1995 1997 2000 2002 2005 2006 2007 2008
9. The Energy Challenge is seen in the number
of NB households whose power is
disconnected
10. A question of equity: NB Power charges its
consumers a much higher monthly service charge
than its provincial counterparts
This represents an
effective toll on the right
to use electricity
11. A question of equity: under its current rate design,
NB Power charges a higher rate per kWh to its
smallest customers than to its largest
The declining block rate represents an income redistribution
from poor NB residents to large consumers of energy
12. If we can have a consumer advocate for car
insurance, why not energy?
•The current provincial government
pledged a more activist role in energy,
but so far has been principally focused
on energy generation, promoting an
‘energy hub’
•New Brunswick residents need a full-
time consumer watchdog on the
energy file, to ensure that the
decisions being made by NB Power
and at the EUB are in the best interests
of small consumers
•An ‘energy hub’ should not simply
benefit those involved in production,
but should also extend its benefits to
the small energy consumer
13. How can we ensure that electricity regulation
benefits Main Street? Some Ideas…
• The level of co-operation between Efficiency NB and energy
utilities should be examined by the regulator. Low-income
households are often found in older, drafty units, yet they are
arguably more likely to face disconnection than participate in a
residential efficiency upgrade.
• The regulatory process must ensure that the rate design is not
discriminatory toward small consumers (i.e. no declining block
rate, lower monthly service charges)
• Pressure should be put on utilities to lower their interest penalty
from credit card levels, and disconnections should be closely
monitored
• Non-traditional interventions, including public comment days,
should be welcomed by the regulator
• Stronger oversight on the energy file should be encouraged,
including the establishment of a consumer advocate
• The idea of a provincial ‘energy hub’ should recognize that the
energy consumer comes first
14. A final word from Ms. Christina Payne, who
participated in the 2006 PUB rate hearing
• “…[being disconnected] was not a pleasant experience.
This could have been life-threatening for my daughter…In
Manitoba they have a law that prevents disconnections in
the winter. Why can’t we have the same law?…We need
more rules, regulations and laws to prevent my situation
from happening again…The point is fairness. Think about
families that are struggling to get by, especially in the
winter…This rate increase is something I can’t afford and
neither can other residents in New Brunswick. My
daughter needs power to live. Power is not only for the
wealthy, but for low income families as well.”