Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications

Energy Efficiency

NCLC supports the many state and federal programs that help pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades for consumers, often at no cost for households with low incomes. NCLC fights unaffordable financing in the place of free public programs and pushes for strong consumer protections to prevent financial harm for low-income and underserved households.

Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families

February 26, 2024

This report will provide states with model community solar consumer protections to ensure equitable outcomes for low-income participants.

Read More about: Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families
August 14, 2024
August 8, 2024

Recent

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Letter to FHFA Urging Adoption of Energy Codes and Release of Related Research

December 3, 2024

The Washington Post: These are the environmental rules that will likely outlive Trump

November 18, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates’ Comments on the Revised EmPOWER MD 2024-2026 Program Plans

October 15, 2024

Consumer Advocates’ Letter to CFPB Regarding Rooftop Solar Panel Sales Concerns

September 27, 2024

Grist: This tweak to mortgage rules could save homeowners thousands in energy bills

September 23, 2024

MassLive: Time for Mass. to gear up for ‘summer preparedness’ (Viewpoint)

September 20, 2024

Coalition Letter to CFPB and FTC Regarding Tariffed On-Bill Financing (TOB)

September 9, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates Supplemental Comments Re: Low-Income Affordability Mechanism

August 19, 2024

NPR: Thinking about rooftop solar? 4 things to consider and how to protect yourself

August 14, 2024

Comments & Letters

View All for Comments & Letters
Letter to FHFA Urging Adoption of Energy Codes and Release of Related Research

December 3, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates’ Comments on the Revised EmPOWER MD 2024-2026 Program Plans

October 15, 2024

Consumer Advocates’ Letter to CFPB Regarding Rooftop Solar Panel Sales Concerns

September 27, 2024

Coalition Letter to CFPB and FTC Regarding Tariffed On-Bill Financing (TOB)

September 9, 2024

Maryland Energy Efficiency Advocates Supplemental Comments Re: Low-Income Affordability Mechanism

August 19, 2024

Coalition Memo to Federal Agencies Urging Consumer Protections for Green Lending

August 6, 2024

Coalition Letter to CFPB Urging a Final PACE Rule

May 30, 2024

Coalition Letter to FHFA in Support of Updated Energy Efficiency Building Codes

May 29, 2024

Letter to HUD Acting Secretary Todman Supporting Updated Energy Efficiency Building Codes

April 8, 2024

Reports

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Community Solar: Expanding Access and Safeguarding Low-Income Families

February 26, 2024

Advancing Equity in Utility Regulation

November 16, 2021

Smart Thermostats: Assessing Their Value in Low-Income Weatherization Programs

January 15, 2020

Report: Lean and Green – The Massachusetts Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN)

November 10, 2014

Issue Briefs

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Rooftop Solar: Consumer Protection Recommendations

July 12, 2024

IRA Home Energy Rebates – State Program Design Recommendations: A Resource for Advocates

March 26, 2024

Tariff-based On-Bill Financing: Assessing the Risks for Low-Income Consumers 

February 14, 2023

Air-Source Heat Pumps: Protecting the Financial-Wellbeing of Low-Income Families While Addressing Climate Change

July 1, 2021

Press Releases & News

View All for Press Releases & News
The Washington Post: These are the environmental rules that will likely outlive Trump

November 18, 2024

Grist: This tweak to mortgage rules could save homeowners thousands in energy bills

September 23, 2024

MassLive: Time for Mass. to gear up for ‘summer preparedness’ (Viewpoint)

September 20, 2024

NPR: Thinking about rooftop solar? 4 things to consider and how to protect yourself

August 14, 2024

NPR: Rooftop solar has a fraud problem. The industry is working to build back trust

August 14, 2024

New Initiatives Empower Consumers Seeking Solar Power

August 8, 2024

CommonWealth Beacon: It’s time to talk about what decarbonization will cost

July 8, 2024

U.S. Senate’s Rollback of Furnace Standards Would Add Costs and Pollution

May 21, 2024

NCLC Advocates Promote Consumer Protections for Energy Efficiency Financing in New Book

May 20, 2024

View Legislation Related to Energy Efficiency

From the NCLC Digital Library

Access to Utility Service

NCLC’s treatise on delivery of water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications, with everything a practitioner needs to know on metering, payments, telecommunications, and assistance programs.

Read Chapter One

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