Features of good utility-initiated energy assistance

Kenneth W. Costello

Energy Policy, 2020, vol. 139, issue C

Abstract: This paper identifies criteria that public utility regulators can apply to assess the effectiveness of initiatives in making utility service more affordable to low-income households. It discusses the major features of energy-assistance (EA) actions that tend to make then successful from a societal perspective. Smart regulation demands that EA initiatives have favorable benefit-cost ratios. Regulators should strive to assure that each dollar expended returns the highest possible dividend, and that EA initiatives interfere minimally with other regulatory objectives; for example, minimal adverse effect on economic efficiency.

Keywords: Energy assistance; Affordability; Ability to pay; Economy efficiency; Smart energy assistance; Ratemaking mechanisms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:139:y:2020:i:c:s0301421520301026

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111345

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