OUR MISSION

TEPRI’s mission is to inspire lasting energy solutions for low-income communities.

TEPRI has specific objectives to address the growing energy-poverty nexus in Texas:

WHY TEPRI EXISTS

The energy-poverty nexus in Texas is large and growing

As Prices Increase, So Does Poverty

Across the U.S., electricity prices are expected to continue to increase (due to capex, regulation, etc). For every 10% increase in home energy costs, 840,000 Americans would be pushed below the poverty line.

Texas has one of the highest poverty rates in the United States.

37% of households live below 200% of the federal poverty guideline.

($48,600 for a family of 4).

The Poverty Rate is Increasing for Texas′ Minorities.

(source: U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder)

The Hispanic Population in Texas is Expected to Double by 2050.

(source: Office of the State Demographer)

Low-income households in some parts of Texas pay 12% – 28% of their monthly income to cover their energy needs.

The Texas State Data Center estimates Texas WAP income-eligible households spend 12.5 percent of their annual income on home energy costs, compared with 4.0 percent for non-WAP income eligible households.

Federal funding for weatherization is regressing toward pre-2009 levels, and State subsidies are phasing out.

The Market for Energy Savings is Large

Across Texas, approximately 2.1 million households (24%) earn less than $25,000 annually.
$1.4 billion can be saved yearly if each household under 200% of the federal poverty line can learn to save $150 on home energy costs over one year.
To save $150 in one year, each household will need to learn to save $12.50 each month.