skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Energy Efficiency Can Be Increased with No Out-of-Pocket Costs

play audio
Play

Thursday, May 25, 2017   

MARSHALL, N.C. – As the mercury climbs, so will the energy bills for consumers across Tennessee.

Energy-efficiency measures can go a long way in reducing usage, but their cost often presents a roadblock for thousands of families.

Programs known in the industry as on-bill financing allow homeowners to pay for the cost of weatherization through their electric bill – essentially using the savings to pay off the cost and preventing out-of-pocket additional expense.

A new report from Appalachian Voices highlights the need and potential impact of such a payment system, according to Rory McIlmoil, the environmental group's energy savings program manager.

"They need some sort of solution that can meet the level of need, but can also be accessible for everybody,” he states. “There are federal weatherization grants, but those funding sources barely scratch the surface of meeting the need that's out there."

The report specifically looked at the impact for households that are members of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation– a co-op that serves Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties in North Carolina as well as Unicoi and Cocke counties in Tennessee.

It estimates that if the co-op were to implement an on-bill system, participants could save $1,000 or more over a 10-year period.

North Carolinians who want to participate in such a program are encouraged to call their electric provider.

McIlmoil points out that while low-income households often are the last ones to be able to afford efficiency measures, they're often the most in need.

"They're more likely to live in homes that need energy-efficiency retrofits, whether new insulation, or an upgraded heating system,” he explains. “So they can't pay to improve those things that need to be improved in order to make their home more comfortable, more healthy and also reduce their energy bills."

The Appalachian Voices report estimates the energy efficiency work in the French Broad Electric Membership area alone could generate as many as 60 jobs.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021