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Energy Poverty: Rising Costs, Limited Assistance
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Energy Poverty on the Rise: Struggles of Low-Income Customers & Rural Residents
The podcast episode delves into the escalating issue of energy poverty in the United States, affecting millions of utility customers. With energy costs surging, more people are grappling to keep up with their electric, heating, and cooling expenses. Rural customers face additional hurdles, often residing in older, less energy-efficient homes and having limited access to fuel and assistance programs.
Recent concerns arose over a potential delay in $3.6 billion in LIHEAP funding due to a federal government shutdown. While some states have measures to prevent utility shutoffs for low-income customers, long-term solutions are necessary, such as income-based payment plans, utility debt management programs, and energy efficiency home initiatives.
Adam Hall, a Knott County, Kentucky resident, has experienced a significant increase in his energy bill since 2020, exacerbated by his homes damage from the 2022 East Kentucky floods. Hall visits a local nonprofit for utility bill assistance, but many struggle to receive help due to bills not being in their name, particularly for renters.
Rural residents face a more significant burden, with 85% reporting difficulty paying energy bills compared to 65% in non-rural areas. Home heating costs are projected to rise by 7.6% this winter, with the highest increases in the South and Midwest. These rising costs, along with outdated assistance formulas and infrastructure repairs, are expanding the number of people experiencing energy poverty, making it a growing concern nationwide.
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