Energy Burden Analysis
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) conducts a comprehensive Energy Burden Analysis (EBA) to identify and support customers who struggle with high energy costs relative to their income. This analysis serves as the foundation for understanding customer needs and designing targeted and improved outreach and assistance programs for those who need help most.
The EBA allows PSE to estimate the number of low-income customers, assess their energy burdens, and determine energy assistance needs across our service territory. By analyzing characteristics of energy-burdened customers, we develop targeted outreach strategies and tactics and more effective assistance programs that address energy affordability and energy equity challenges.
How is Low-Income Defined?
The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) (RCW 19.405.120) defines "low-income" as the higher of either 80% area median income or 200% federal poverty level, adjusted for household size.
What is Energy Burden?
Energy burden measures the percentage of a household's annual income spent on energy costs, including electricity, natural gas, and other heating fuels like propane, heating oil, and wood. When households spend more than 6% of their annual income on energy expenses, they are considered "energy-burdened" or with “high energy burden.” The above 6% energy burden threshold comes from Commerce's criteria for identifying customers needing assistance.
PSE’s Energy Burden Analysis:
Contact
Questions? Contact PSE at: EnergyBurdenAnalysis@pse.com