Hello Friends,

Energy creates opportunity.  But high energy burdens can lead to significant negative non-energy effects.  I’ve recently read several studies linking energy poverty to eviction and homelessness, food insecurity, a whole host of physical and mental health implications, and even an article stating that utility shut-off was the number one trigger for calls to Child Protective Services.  Of course, these are very complicated relationships, and we can’t fix everything, but we can help do something.

I believe the work we are doing can have a very real and positive impacts.  We can help improve the quality of life of our neighbors.  Thank you all for your support of TEPRI.

Sincerely,

Dana Harmon, 
Executive Director

Our leadership team is growing

We are also thrilled to announce John Daily, Vice President Origination of Calpine Corporation, representing Champion Energy, as our newest member of the TEPRI Board of Directors.  “We are proud to join TEPRI. This organization reflects our values and commitment to serve our customers and our communities, particularly those that need assistance the most, and we look forward to being a part of TEPRI’s efforts,” said Daily.

Get involved

Interested in becoming a member of TEPRI?  We have four levels of membership available.  Find out more about how you can join in inspiring lasting energy solutions for low-income communities today!

Priorities for 2017

TEPRI will focus on the following three research priorities in 2017:

1. Raise Awareness and Increase Understanding of Energy Poverty
2. Identify and Target Communities of Greatest Need
3. Establish Path for Making an Impact

Learn more about these priorities and the projects we’re launching at www.txenergypoverty.org/priorities!

Creating a Profile for Low-Income

Our Texas Low-Income Profiles Project will deliver practical information on Texas’ low income population to stakeholders that may be utilized to:

• Reduce barriers to education and engagement
• Increase effectiveness of residential programs; including energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and demand side management
• Evaluate policy and market opportunities to address energy poverty issues
• Encourage technology innovation in the low-income market
• Explore models to use renewable energy technologies to reduce energy burdens

We are actively seeking partners for this project. Please contact us to request the concept paper if you’re interested to learn more!

UT Energy Week

We were honored to participate in a panel at UT’s Energy Week last month on the changing consumer-utility relationship. This gathering of experts from academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations explored some of our most vital energy issues. Thank you to TEPRI members Austin Energy and CPS Energy for speaking alongside myself and KPMG Strategy. It was an honor to engage with our next generation of energy leaders at UT! http://energyweek.utexas.edu/
 Follow at @UTEnergyWeek

Center on Global Energy Policy Panel
TEPRI is excited to participate on a panel for the Center of Global Energy Policy at Columbia University March 23^rd discussing various aspects of Energy Insecurity.
 Follow at @ColumbiaUEnergy

TACDC Conference Panelist and Exhibitor

We have been invited to develop a panel at the Texas Association of Community Development Corporations Conference in Austin April 4.  The panel topic will be “Energy Poverty in Texas.”  We are also excited to have the opportunity to exhibit at this conference.
 Follow at @TXCDC