Articles missed the big picture of OUC aid

On May 5, the Orlando Sentinel published a guest commentary and front-page story mischaracterizing the Orlando Utilities Commission’s efforts to help low-income customers save energy and money. The timing of the articles wasn’t a coincidence. On the same day, OUC’s Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan — an outline of Florida Public Service Commission (PSC)-recognized conservation efforts and goals for 2020-24 — was up for review by the PSC.

The PSC approved OUC’s entire plan, including 16 residential and commercial programs that are projected to outperform PSC-established goals by 558%. The PSC also commented that local commissioners know best how to help their unique customer base.

We agree. The narrow focus of the two articles principally took issue with one of OUC’s 16 programs — Efficiency Delivered — claiming it doesn’t do enough to aid low-income customers. The tone of both pieces suggested OUC is ignoring the difficult financial situations impacting at least a third of our customer base.

Efficiency Delivered is the one incomebased program we submit to the PSC as part of our DSM plan. Since 2010, this program has helped 203 households on average per year. For households with incomes under $40,000, the program covers 85% of the efficiency upgrades costing up to $2,000, leaving homeowners to pay the remaining 15% over 12 months without interest. The savings resulting from the improvements are greater than the monthly payment. While both articles acknowledged 33% of OUC’s customers earn less than $35,000 a year, and 65% of Orlando residents live in rental units, neither mentioned the challenges these factors present. The most vulnerable residents tend to be the least stable, and renters are not the decision-makers on improvements to their dwellings.

Recognizing our customers’ unique set of circumstances, we provide programs outside of our DSM plan. Our Multifamily Efficiency Program, Power Pass, and affordable housing projects in low-income neighborhoods are just a few examples of our diverse and tailored approach.

The Multifamily Efficiency Program incentivizes rental property owners, including large apartment complexes, to make their units efficient. Since 2014, more than 3,500 rental units have benefited from this program. Conservation initiatives like this cost OUC more than $2 million a year and save customers $6.2 million plus annually.

Power Pass aids low-income customers by eliminating deposit requirements and disconnection/late payment fees. The program also offers its more than 13,000 participants an online portal and daily alerts to help them control their electric usage. Participants tend to use 8% less energy than customers in similar residences, who are not on the program.

OUC’s involvement in revitalizing 83 homes in Parramore and 58 apartments in Washington Shores is making a more direct impact on low-income residents. Our partnership in both projects yielded more efficient, sustainable housing, reducing utility costs for tenants in rent-controlled units. Both articles also referenced the coronavirus pandemic, presumably to buttress their portrayal of OUC as uncaring in a time of crisis.

But, less than a month ago, the Sentinel reported OUC’s $12.1 million relief plan, including a fuel rate decrease of $7.5 million and a one-time, $2.5 million contribution to Project CARE, OUC’s utility payment assistance program administered by Heart of Florida United Way. No other utility in Florida has made this type of utility payment assistance commitment.

We also allocated $500,000 to waive the first month’s service charge for new customers enrolling in our Power Pass program, which helps participants pay down any built up balance as they go.

For the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Earthjustice to claim OUC “demonstrates a lack of serious commitment to help its low-income customers” is to deliberately ignore the big picture. What we submit to the PSC reflects only a portion of our energy efficiency programs — and because all aren’t recognized by the PSC — it doesn’t mean they aren’t effective for our customers, as recognized by our local board. OUC offers a diverse portfolio of programs that help all customers save energy, water and money.