Energy and Public Utilities

PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE

A large majority of state laws lack protections for individuals creating financial powers of attorney, according to the Public Policy Institute’s research report, Power of Attorney Abuse: What States Can Do About It.

A power of attorney is a critical planning tool – a legal document delegating authority to another person to handle financial matters. As the population ages, the power of attorney will be used even more often to appoint trusted family members and others. But the power of attorney can also be a “license to steal” because it grants broad powers with little oversight.

The PPI report, written by attorneys at the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, explores the problem of power of attorney abuse and how state legislatures can protect vulnerable adults against it. It explains how the new Uniform Power of Attorney Act helps prevent, detect and redress abuse, and provides resources to promote enactment of this model law. A two-page In Brief summarizes the key points in the report.

Need for Low-Income Heating Assistance Continues Despite Recent Drop in Some Home Heating Costs This fact sheet explains that low-income households continue to struggle to pay for heat and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program remains inadequate to help low-income individuals and families.

Can Advance Metering Help Reduce Electricity Costs for Residential Consumers? This paper examines advanced metering, a system to charge consumers different prices for electricity on the basis of the time of day the electricity is used, and potential benefits and concerns.

Energy and Public Utilities

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Need for Low-Income Heating Assistance Continues Despite Recent Drop in Some Home Heating Costs

This fact sheet from AARP’s Public Policy Institute examines data from the Energy Information Administration on heating-related energy consumption and expenditures among consumers age 65 and older. The analysis finds that despite recent increases in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, heating assistance remains inadequate. (5 pages)

January 31, 2009

By: Ann McLarty Jackson, AARP Public Policy Institute; Neal Walters, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: A Critical Resource for Low-Income Households

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the most important source of assistance for low-income households coping with rising energy costs; yet because of inadequate funding, many eligible households go without assistance. Written by Ann McLarty Jackson and Christopher Baker, this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet discusses funding for LIHEAP and participation in the program. (2 pages)

January 24, 2008

By: Ann McLarty Jackson, AARP Public Policy Institute; Christopher Baker, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

Can Advanced Metering Help Reduce Electricity Costs for Residential Consumers?

Advanced meters have been promoted as a way to help utilities meet growing demand for electricity and help consumers manage increasing costs. This Insight on the Issues by Neal Walters of AARP’s Public Policy Institute offers key design principles for advanced metering that take into account consumer concerns. (8 pages)

December 12, 2008

By: Neal Walters, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

The Impact Of Higher Energy Prices On Winter Heating Costs: many Consumers Over Age 65 To Be Hit Hard

Rising heating expenditures by low-income consumers far exceed available resources for low-income energy assistance programs, according to this Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, in which Ann McLarty-Jackson and Neal Walters examine the impact of higher energy prices on the winter heating costs of consumers age 65 and older, and analyze how these costs vary with geographic location and fuel type. (4 pages)

January 25, 2008

By: Ann McLarty Jackson, AARP Public Policy Institute; Neal Walters, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

Comparing Poverty Rates by Official and Experimental Measures in the United States

Poverty rates are used for setting guidelines for eligibility for public programs, and thus directly affect the quality of daily life for those with low incomes. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest, Ke Bin Wu analyzes Census Bureau reports and finds that experimental poverty rates are significantly higher than the current official poverty rates, particularly for persons age 65 and older. (10 pages)

December 31, 2005

By: Ke Bin Wu, AARP Public Policy Institute;

Energy and Telephone Assistance in the States: Public Programs that Help Low-Income Households

Programs mandated, funded or approved by federal or state governments to help low-income households initiate and maintain home energy and telephone service are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Ann McLarty Jackson, Christopher Baker and Robert Wilden. (318 pages)

December 1, 2002

By: Ann McLarty Jackson, AARP Public Policy Institute; Christopher Baker, AARP Public Policy Institute; Robert Wilden, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

Understanding Household Energy Use: Consumer Awareness and Knowledge of Electric Utility Restructuring

Seeking to lower prices through competition, some states have deregulated their electric utility industries. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest of findings from a national survey of 3,067 adult energy bill payers, Kellie K. Kim-Sung and Christopher A. Baker suggest that many consumers have neither the necessary information nor options to benefit from these changes. (4 pages)

November 1, 2002

By: Kellie Kim-Sung, AARP Public Policy Institute; Christopher Baker, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

The Consumer's Glossary of Electric Utility Restructuring Terms

In this AARP Public Policy Insitute reference tool for consumer advocates and representatives (and consumers who want to know more), Christopher Baker explains some of the more common technical terms and concepts pertaining to electric utility restructuring.

December 1, 2001

By: Christopher Baker, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute

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