Authored by Frank Canavan, Senior Manager, State Affairs for the American Gas Association
Whether you are heating your home, cooking a meal or drying your clothes, using natural gas helps save you money. The latest Natural Gas Market Outlook confirms that while America’s natural gas utilities continue to meet record sustained demand, prices remain stable and affordable for homes and small businesses.
While a rising Consumer Price Index shows that consumers are facing a financial pinch driven by the cost of other goods and services, natural gas provides American families with an affordability advantage at costs three to five times lower than electric rates. Natural gas is currently 3.5 times more affordable than electricity according to the Energy Information Administration, which forecasts that natural gas is set to retain its significant long-term price advantage over other fuels delivering consumers the reliability they deserve.
While natural gas continues to deliver affordability for American families and businesses, American Gas Association (AGA) members are also taking proactive steps to make sure assistance is available for those who need it. Natural gas utilities offer and participate in a multitude of energy assistance programs to help customers in need. For example, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides energy cost and weatherization assistance to low-income households with federal funding administered at the state and local level. Additionally, utilities may offer budget billing, weatherization assistance, low or no cost efficiency upgrades, payment plans, or prohibit service disconnections during the winter heating season.
For example, across New York’s Mid-Hudson River Valley one utility continues to expand a partnership with the local library system already paying dividends for residents by lowering energy use and reducing monthly utility bill costs. Central Hudson Gas & Electric has partnered with the Mid-Hudson Library system to offer free DIY home energy assessment kits that residents can borrow from their local library. Each kit includes a smartphone-compatible thermal imaging camera and step-by-step instructions to help users identify areas in their homes where energy efficiency can be improved. Within days of completing the assessment, customers receive a free, personalized digital report with tailored recommendations and information about available rebates to help improve efficiency and reduce monthly bills.
The partnership has proven a quick success—scaling within a year from 10 library locations to 40 and expanding to include the Ramapo Catskill Library System. Upon returning the kit, participants also receive a free box of products to jumpstart the home efficiency process including spray foam, door sweeps, and caulk among other items.
AGA members are constantly developing new ways to meet customers where they are and reduce the barriers associated with investing in home efficiency upgrades leading to immediate cost savings. Click here to explore additional affordability resources from AGA.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about organizations like American Gas Association dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
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