LIFE Regional Meeting Series May 12, 2011 Lake Placid, New York Christopher Coll NYSERDA

2 The affordability of household energy bills depend on a number of factors: Income Housing Energy

3 3.2% of New York’s population reside in the North Country 14.5% of the North Country’s population is age 65 and older 4% of housing structures located within the North Country Mean travel time of 21 minutes to work Source: USDA Economic Research

4 Poverty rate of 13.8, represents 3% of NYS population in poverty Unemployment Rate of 9.8% in 2010, compared with 8% for the rest of the State <1% of NYS foreclosures in March 2011 Median Household income was $43,698 in 2009, compared to $54,554 statewide Source: USDA Economic Research

5 Source: 2009 ACS

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US Census, 2009 ACS

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17 HH Energy Expenses Remaining HH Income

18 Measure developed by Roger Colton (Fisher, Sheehan, & Colton) “Affordable” home energy bills should be equal to approximately %6 of annual income – Total housing burdens are affordable at 30% of income – Utility costs should be no more than 20% of housing costs – Utility costs affordable at 6% of income LIFE commissioned a NYS specific study, due out June 2011

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21 Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

22 Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

23 Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

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