Light up the Carolinas: Increasing Energy Fund Utilization Rates among Duke Energy Customers
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2023-04-20
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There are multiple federal energy relief funds that are offered to help alleviate the burden of electric and gas utility bills for low-income households. Duke Energy services 71% of the retail electric customers in North Carolina and 34% in South Carolina, yet its customers account for a disproportionately low percentage of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds. Through fund utilization data analysis and interviews with state and county governments and non-profits, this study helped provide clarity into the barriers keeping Duke Energy’s customers from applying for, and receiving, energy relief funds. These barriers were comprehensively addressed in the three recommendations provided to Duke Energy: streamline online resources for application and outreach, leverage customer data to develop a customized outreach strategy, and expand partnerships with North Carolina counties’ Department of Social Services and South Carolina Community Action Agencies.
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Fernandez, Grace (2023). Light up the Carolinas: Increasing Energy Fund Utilization Rates among Duke Energy Customers. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/27075.
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