Low Income Solutions

Project Description:

The Entergy Arkansas (EAL) Low-Income Solutions program (LIS) began in 2020 to serve income-qualified customers and those aged 65+. Since then, the program has provided energy-saving and safety upgrades to more than 9,000 customers in Arkansas. The offering provides fully subsidized weatherization measures such as duct sealing, air sealing, and insulation to not only increase indoor comfort levels for residents, but to also provide a significant impact on their financial energy burdens. Collectively, participating customers have seen energy savings of over 23,000,000 kWh, which is equivalent to 39,771 homes’ electricity use for one year. Since its launch, the program has met energy savings goals every year; thus reinforcing the need for the program and the great work it is providing to EAL customers. The LIS program is available throughout all of EAL’s service territory, with focus on regions of the state that have the most need in terms of poverty rates and lack of access to energy efficiency programs. One unique feature of the program is that all home types qualify to participate in the program, including manufactured and multifamily homes, as well as single-family, duplex, and triplex homes.

Entergy is committed to making energy efficiency and safety improvements widely available to its income-qualified customer base in Arkansas. Another distinctive feature of this program is the variety of prescriptive and custom health and safety (H&S) measures available, all of which comply with the BPI Healthy Homes certification. A few examples of H&S measures include installing smoke and CO detectors and exhaust fans, or repairing

HVAC systems or electrical issues. The H&S measures cover upgrades of up to $500 per home and are intended to improve both the safety and quality of life for customers. In 2022, 87% of program participants received H&S measures, with the majority receiving two or more H&S measures.

The LIS program is multi-faceted and uses several methods to demonstrate and achieve energy equity and provide program awareness and energy education. One unique method is braided funding partnerships with the Weatherization Assistance Program managed by the Arkansas Energy Office, leveraging community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide more services than single organizations are able to offer alone. One such partnership in 2021 provided more than 20 homes and apartments with more than $9,000 worth of weatherization and H&S upgrades per home. The LIS program could not do the work it does without the help of its dedicated and highly trained trade ally network. By utilizing a local base of 12 trade allies specifically recruited to work in geographic areas of most need, program services are provided throughout EAL’s territory. Using local contractors not only helps Arkansas as a whole, but it also helps customers gain trust in the program and in the information trade allies provide.

Entergy Arkansas is committed to continuing the important work this program offers. To-date, a motion to extend the LIS program through 2026 is with the Arkansas Public Service Commission for approval.