2008 - National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference

Workshops – Session 7
7-A Climate Change Legislation and Its Impact on Low-Income Families
(followup to General Session) §
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
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Joel Eisenberg, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Bob Greenstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
John Howat, National Consumer Law Center
Rafe Pomerance, President, Clean Air-Cool Planet
Oil companies, automobile manufacturers, utilities and environmental organizations
all have positions on controlling greenhouse gases. These parties, along with residential
energy consumers and their advocates, need also be concerned with the price impacts of
such controls on limited-income families. This session will follow up on some of the issues
identified in the immediately preceding General Session. It will examine two proposals
for controlling emissions that are discussed frequently: “cap and trade” and “carbon tax.”
The session will also present plans for how money generated from either method could be
directed to offset the increased costs of home energy for low-income households during this
energy transition.
7-B Selling Conservation: How to Get Buy-In From Consumers
Room
Moderator:
Presenter:
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Deb Cochenour, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
A. Tamasin Sterner, Pure Energy
How do we get people on board with the concept of energy efficiency? How do you train
or get clients to reduce energy needs so they're not as dependent upon cash assistance?
Hear from an experienced conservation educator on how she gets buy-in from consumers.
Learn what she hears from consumers and what you need to know to reach out to these
audiences.
7-C Coordinated Responsibilities in Energy Assistance Programs
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
Silver
Jerry McKim, Bureau of Energy Assistance, Iowa Department of Human Rights
Amy Oehler, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Donald Mussen, Michigan Family Independence Agency
Fenton Hyacinthe, Community Action of Minneapolis
LIHEAP and fuel funds aren’t the only players in the energy assistance process. This
workshop provides examples from two states that are effectively utilizing the concept
that three parties – clients, LIHEAP providers and energy vendors – have shared roles and
responsibilities in helping clients to become more energy self-sufficient and assuring that
resources are spent most effectively.
7-D Marketing Availability of Assistance to the General Public
Room
Moderator:
Presenters:
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Diane Tatum, Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
James Wallace, Total Community Action, New Orleans
Jack Parkhill, Southern California Edison
Sheila Lee, Southern California Edison
This workshop will explore ways for nonprofit organizations and utility companies to
provide information about the programs offered to low-income clients. Getting the
correct information disseminated to the community level is often difficult. Here are two
organizations that have overcome the challenge in providing the right messages to the
clients in need.
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