1 Energy Poverty: Measuring Energy Insecurity Applications of the Energy Insecurity Scale 2004 NLIEC June 9, 2004 Jacqueline Berger

2 Transforming the Scale Transform in-person instrument to a telephone survey instrument Must be able to design the survey as a mail instrument as well Design the survey so that the client can respond on his/her own Use the same set of answers on as many questions as possible

3 Other Issues Cognitive testing showed that questions should be asked as yes/no and then followed up with frequency. Can LIHEAP-recipients be classified as “thriving”?

4 Applications of the Scale NEADA National Energy Assistance Survey –What are the challenges faced by LIHEAP-recipient households? What is their level of energy insecurity? New Hampshire REACH Evaluation –What is the impact of the project on energy insecurity? NJ Shares Evaluation –What is the level of energy insecurity faced by households that received grants?

5 NEADA Survey Goals Interview a nationally representative sample of LIHEAP-recipient households Document the choices that LIHEAP-recipient households make when faced with unaffordable home energy bills Compare and contrast the findings from this study with other low-income energy research studies Furnish data and tables that can be used by policymakers and researchers

6 Survey Design Random selection of 20 states to represent LIHEAP recipients around the country 7 states unable to participate, substitutes chosen Telephone interviews conducted between November and December 2003 (1978 respondents) Mail follow-up conducted in January and February 2004 (183 respondents) Total of 2,161 completed interviews

7 States Surveyed CaliforniaColoradoGeorgiaDelaware IowaLouisianaMaineMassachusetts MinnesotaMontanaNew MexicoNew York North CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioPennsylvania Rhode IslandVirginiaWashingtonWisconsin

8 Survey Topics Screener Experience with energy assistance –When received, how often received, plans to apply this year Actions taken to meet energy expenses –Constructive –Harmful

9 Survey Topics Energy Insecurity Scale Impact of LIHEAP –Would you have experienced some of these problems if LIHEAP had not been available? –How important has LIHEAP been in helping you meet your needs? Demographics

10 NEADA Results Almost Every Month Some Months 1 or 2 Months Never/ No Worried about paying home energy bill 31%28%13%27% Reduced expenses for basic household necessities 40%29%9%20% Borrowed from a friend or relative to pay home energy bill 7%22%17%52%

11 NEADA Results Almost Every Month Some Months 1 or 2 Months Never/ No Closed off part of home because could not afford to heat or cool it 13%18%6%63% Kept home at temperature you felt was unsafe or unhealthy 5%13%7%73% Left home for part of the day because it was too hot or too cold 2%12%10%76% Used kitchen stove or oven to provide heat 2%18%11%70%

12 NEADA Results Almost Every Month Some Months 1 or 2 Months Never/ No Skipped paying or paid less than entire home energy bill 14%22%16%48% Received notice or threat to discontinue electricity or home heating fuel 5%15%18%62%

13 NEADA Results Yes Electricity shut off due to nonpayment 8% Unable to use main source of heat because unable to pay for fuel delivery 10% Unable to use main source of heat because utility company discontinued gas or electric service due to nonpayment 11% Unable to use air conditioner because utility company discontinued electric service due to nonpayment 6%

14 NEADA Results Energy Insecurity Scale Thriving9% Capable 1% Stable 4% Vulnerable 25% In-Crisis 62%

15 NEADA Results Energy Insecurity Scale ElderlyDisabled Young Child Non- Vulnerable Thriving15%7%5%7% Capable 1% 0%2% Stable 5%4%2%3% Vulnerable 27%23% 28% In-Crisis 51%65%70%61%

16 NEADA Results Energy Insecurity Scale By Post-LIHEAP Total Residential Energy Burden 0-10%11-20%>20% Thriving9%7%2% Capable 1% Stable 4% 1% Vulnerable 28%20%21% In-Crisis 58%68%75%

17 Summary Applications of Energy Insecurity Scale –Measure status at a point in time –Compare status of different populations –Measure impact of a program Energy Insecurity Scale provides a summary of the client’s energy status Individual elements are important