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BED tariff change would extend energy assistance to shelters, some affordable housing and net-metered customers
Summary
Burlington Electric Department proposed tariff amendments to expand its Energy Assistance Program (EAP) to residential shelters serving unhoused residents, to some affordable-housing situations where providers pass discounts to tenants, and to net-metered accounts; the Board of Finance voted to recommend the changes to the City Council.
The Board of Finance on May 19 recommended that the City Council authorize the Burlington Electric Department to file tariff amendments with the Vermont Public Utility Commission to amend the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). The proposed changes would expand eligibility to residential shelters that serve people experiencing homelessness, add a mechanism to cover certain affordable housing buildings when the provider agrees to pass the discount directly to residents, and permit some net-metered customers (solar) to participate.
BED staff said the EAP had previously been expanded to a 12.5% discount and that changes earlier this year—including auto-enrollment—tripled enrollment. The tariff amendments would explicitly make residential shelters eligible for the 12.5% discount when those facilities are billed on the residential rate. For multifamily buildings that are wholly designated as affordable housing, the amendments would allow the discount when the building owner agrees to pass the benefit through to tenants (for example via reduced rent). BED staff said mixed-income buildings where only some units receive tenant-based assistance will require further work and might be the subject of a future change.
BED staff also said finance and billing work now make it administratively feasible for net-metered (solar) accounts to participate in the program; the changes would address one or two specific accounts at Elmwood Avenue shelters that previously would not have qualified because of net metering.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about definitions and administration; BED staff said they would follow up on mixed-income buildings and noted the city assessor keeps records that can help identify eligible buildings. The board voted unanimously to recommend filing the tariff amendments with the Vermont PUC.
