Policy Solution
Energy bill assistance
Funding and Financing
Summary
Governments can provide financial assistance for communities that have difficulties paying their utility bills. Increased use of air conditioning during extreme heat waves can raise household energy bills, costs that many low-income families already struggle to cover.
Implementation
Establish a fund to provide energy bill assistance.
Considerations for Use
This initiative can be accompanied with community outreach on how to apply for this program and education on low-cost ways to conserve energy.
Overview
Climate:
Cold, Hot/Dry, Hot/Humid, TemperatePolicy Levers:
Funding and FinancingThe allocation of public or philanthropic funding or private financing to implement projects, including risk transfer mechanisms.Trigger Points:
City planning processesIncludes city initiatives such as the development of climate action plan, pathway to zero-energy, master plan, transit plan, energy mapping etc.Intervention Types:
Planning/PolicySectors:
Public Works
Case Studies
Impact
Target Beneficiaries:
Heat-vulnerable communities, ResidentsPhase of Impact:
Emergency response and managementMetrics:
Number of families served by energy assistance program, Number of power outages/shut offs per heat wave or year
Implementation
Intervention Scale:
City, State/ProvinceAuthority and Governance:
City government, State/provincial governmentImplementation Timeline:
Short-term (1-2 Years)Implementation Stakeholders:
City government, State/provincial governmentFunding Sources:
Public investmentCapacity to Act:
High, MediumBenefits
Cost-Benefit:
LowPublic Good:
HighGHG Reduction:
N/ACo-benefits (Climate/Environmental):
N/ACo-benefits (Social/Economic):
Save on utilities