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THE PROGRAM PUSH |
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By Walter Nixon |
Within its politically conservative, resource-constrained service-area, Entergy is advancing the business case for the establishment of permanent, ratepayer-funded sources of funding for energy efficiency, weatherization, and affordable energy assistance programs. In addition to being the right thing to do, Entergy supports the programs because it believes that customers who can pay their bills and live in safe, healthful, and comfortable homes are more likely to accumulate assets that cement their participation in and contributions to the economy and society.
In November 2000, Entergy committed each of its five utility companies to seek the adoption of a public benefits fund or its equivalent. Furthermore, CEO Wayne Leonard declared that the incentive compensation of Entergy's five utility company presidents would be based, in part, on their success in achieving this goal. Today, that goal has been partially met in each of Entergy's states.
- Texas passed legislation creating a ratepayer-funded System Benefit Fund in 1999. Its implementation in the Entergy Texas service area launched with the advent of retail competition.
 Last spring, Mississippi's legislature nearly passed Customer Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) legislation that would have funded weatherization and energy affordability programs. Coalition-building initiatives continue in Mississippi, and Entergy plans another effort to pass a similar bill next year.
- Low-income advocates in Arkansas are partnering with Entergy to lead the effort to create a CEAP primarily targeting energy efficiency and weatherization to low-income gas and electric customers. The Arkansas coalition hopes to pass the bill in 2003.
- The Louisiana Public Benefits Fund Coalition has worked for more than a year to gain the support of the Louisiana Public Service Commission for a statewide fund to provide energy efficiency, weatherization, and bill payment assistance services. There has also been legislative activity supportive of a fund during the spring sessions of the Louisiana legislature.
- In New Orleans, an Entergy proposal to the city council (which regulates Entergy's local electric and gas subsidiary) has been incorporated into a rate case proposal that was filed last May. Under the proposal, a New Orleans Board for Energy Efficiency would be created and funded. It would oversee the implementation of weatherization and energy efficiency services available to all classes of customers in the city and administer a program of bill payment assistance for low-income customers. Entergy New Orleans' rate case proposal would create a permanent source of funding (over a period of four years) for such programs, beginning with $6 million in 2003. One-sixth of the funds would go toward bill payment assistance; the remaining $5 million would be used for energy efficiency and weatherization programs.
Walter Nixon is director of regulatory policy at Entergy. |
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