When the Clean Energy Transformation Act was signed into law in 2019, Washington moved to the forefront of a growing movement to decarbonize the utility industry and protect the environment without passing on the costs to working families.
CETA as it’s commonly known, is a transformational law that reaches well beyond the carbon-free electricity mandates and targets the name implies. The many requirements stipulated in the law will redefine the role many energy utilities play in their communities. Clark Public Utilities is well-positioned to meet and even exceed the mandates of the law. The goals it aims to achieve align with those that are central to the utility’s operating principals of reliability, affordability and outstanding customer service.
“Ultimately, CETA strives for all utility customers to benefit from the transition to a clean energy future,” Clark Public Utilities Energy Resources Program Manager Matt Babbitts said. “Clark Public Utilities is developing the tools and programs to ensure our customers enjoy every benefit the law aims to provide.”
When state legislators drafted the law, they did so with the stated goal of preventing a situation where the wealthy enjoyed the benefits of the green energy transformation while the low-income bore the financial costs.
One of the central tenets of the law is identifying and assisting what CETA calls “energy burdened” customers. Households that meet that definition spend 6 percent or more of their income on energy bills. After identifying those customers, electric utilities are required to reduce the overall number of energy burdened in their service territory by 60 percent by 2030.
For years, Clark Public Utilities has offered several energy assistance programs that have been tailored to assist customers in a variety of circumstances and life stages, but those offered under CETA will go a step further.
“At Clark Public Utilities we have a long, successful history of assisting our customers that are in the most need, and that previous work puts us in a good position to be successful with the new CETA mandates,” Babbitts said.
During the last two years since the law was passed, Clark Public Utilities worked to determine the number of energy burdened customers in Clark County, and developed the tools needed to identify and work with those households. The initial analysis shows there are roughly 18,000 households in the county that meet the definition of energy burdened.
Once all households who are in the most need of energy assistance are identified, the utility will begin launching targeted programs designed to help those customers. No formal program has been finalized at this point, but utility staff is actively developing concepts to meet this state requirement.
One approach would offer targeted energy conservation programs at low or no-cost to qualifying customers. By improving a home’s energy efficiency, the utility can help these households reduce their energy expenses from the moment the project is finished and well into the long term.
Additionally, the utility will also look at offering targeted programs that improve indoor and outdoor air qualify around Clark County using the state Department of Health’s air quality disparity map.
Another path being considered is the development of renewable energy programs, such as a community solar program that is designed for limited-income customers, that could provide lasting and sustainable benefits for up to 25 years.
There is also the option of offering direct financial assistance through bill credits and other utility programs.
Utility staff will continue to carefully evaluate options to ensure all benefit from the opportunities CETA provides, while continuing to hold firm to its principals of affordability, reliability and excellent customer service.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
