New York State Public Benefit Funds for Energy Efficiency
- In January 2001, the New York Public Service Commission approved the continuation (through mid-2006) and expansion of collection of a systems benefits charge (SBC) for low-income energy efficiency and other public purpose programs that it had originally approved in 1998. Yearly funding rose from $78 million to approximately $150 million. The continued program will provide an average of $25 million per year for low-income energy programs, including supplements to the state Weatherization Assistance Program, energy efficiency assistance to public housing, and low-income aggregation (an estimated $10 million provide direct services.) See electric utility restructuring.
- Some utilities operate comprehensive low-income affordability programs outside the SBC (see Rate Assistance) , and some of these programs include expenditures for energy efficiency, a breakdown of which is not available.
LEVERAGING
2003: $2 million
2002: $4.9 million