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This webinar will address the rapidly-changing home energy and utility environment as it relates to aging in place and the need to maintain elder home energy security. The presentation will include a review of new metering and billing technologies, current and projected home energy prices, and the outlook for funding of federal and state energy assistance and weatherization programs. In addition, the webinar will include information about existing programs and policies designed to keep elders from losing access to essential home energy services, and provide recommendations for enhancing utility consumer protections and programs.
1) The Changing Environment
a) Technologies
b) Long-term fuel prices
c) Pressures on federal- and state-level program funding
2) Threats to elder home energy security and aging in place
a) Higher prices, affordability
b) Time-sensitive rate structures, penalties on those unable to safely shift consumption to off-peak periods
c) More frequent utility service disconnections and deliverable fuel emergencies
d) Reduced benefits from public- and ratepayer-funded energy assistance and efficiency programs
e) Restricted access to effective customer service
f) Prepaid Utility Service
3) Enhanced regulatory consumer protections programs needed to address impacts of the changing environment
a) Disconnection protections
b) Deliverable fuel public benefit funds
c) Disconnection notification standards and protocols
d) Deferred payment agreement standards
e) Outreach/identification of vulnerable energy/utility customers
f) Customer service standards
g) Standards for reporting of utility disconnections, reconnections, and arrearages
Presenter is John Howat, Energy Analyst/Staff Advocate of the National Consumer Law Center.
Additional sponsorship for this Webinar is provided by a grant from the Administration on Aging. This webinar is part of a series of National Elder Rights Training Project webinars for the National Legal Resource Center.
There is no charge for this webinar.
All time listings are in Eastern Standard Time.
If you have any questions email trainings@nclc.org | 
