It is summer and energy bills are rising along with temperatures, increasing many people’s concerns about keeping the lights—and air conditioning—on. Despite comparatively low electricity rates in the Pacific Northwest fueled by hydroelectric sources, energy costs are rising and the associated financial burden on low-income households is quite high in Oregon and Washington. Meanwhile, federal energy assistance and efficiency programs are on the chopping block, leaving customers with fewer options for assistance, and greenhouse gas reduction policies that fuel both temperature increases and rising energy demand are being dismantled. Funding and staffing cuts at the federal level are shifting costs to states and localities. As federal energy assistance and efficiency programs—as well as climate disaster relief—are threatened, now is the time for states to plan, budget, and innovate to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of residents.
Many Washington and Oregon households have not adapted to extreme heat, so even lower temperatures can cause a significant impact. While this summer’s temperatures may not reach the levels they did in 2021, the Pacific Northwest is at increased risk of future significant heat waves and needs to be prepared.
Heat domes like the one that struck in 2021, along with higher summer temperatures generally, bring significant risks to low-income households. Those without air conditioning are most at risk from heat exposure. If households can afford to buy an air conditioning unit at all, they are more likely to opt for a less expensive but more inefficient plug-in window unit that drives up bills. The upfront costs to install more efficient heat pumps are high and heat pumps are particularly difficult for renters to access without a landlord willing to make the investment. Faced with the choice between trying to suffer through extreme heat or the promise of a higher utility bill (with the unknown of how high the bill will actually be), many low-income households will opt for the former, with potentially dire health consequences.
How States Can Respond:
- Implementing Utility Shutoff Prevention Policies
- Incorporating Affordability Measures
- Passing “Right to Cooling” Legislation
- Implementing Resilience Hubs and Cooling Centers
- Increasing Energy Efficiency