Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications

Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Climate Change

Despite using less energy, low-income households are often forced to make difficult survival decisions to afford essential energy service. NCLC works to ensure that the urgent transition to clean energy protects underserved households and communities from unaffordable increases in the cost of energy and to mitigate the inequities of our current energy landscape.

illustration of family in hot apartment

Report Calls for Ban on Utility Disconnections During Extreme Heat

July 7, 2026

Policymakers and regulators must make utility services more affordable and end disconnections in severe weather.

Read More about: Report Calls for Ban on Utility Disconnections During Extreme Heat
July 31, 2026
January 15, 2020
Learn About NCLC’s Advocacy for Electric Vehicle Access and Affordability

Recent

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Drive Cleaner, Pay Less: EVs and Affordability

July 31, 2026

Protecting Access to Essential Utility Service During Extreme Heat and Climate Change (Updated)

July 7, 2026

Report Calls for Ban on Utility Disconnections During Extreme Heat

July 7, 2026

Tariffed On-Bill Financing Poses Significant Risks for Low-Income Consumers

March 31, 2026

Upgrade Maryland Reply Comments to MD PSC Re: Long-term Planning for MD Gas Companies

September 12, 2025

BBC: Overheating in heatwaves: How cool air is becoming a luxury many Americans can’t afford

August 26, 2025

Comment to HUD Regarding Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards for New Construction of HUD- and USDA-Financed Housing

August 4, 2025

Written Testimony in Support of Mass. S. 959, An Act Providing for Energy Assistance During the Summer Months

July 23, 2025

NCLC Testimony on Massachusetts H.4144, An Act Relative to Energy Affordability

July 2, 2025

Comments & Letters

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Upgrade Maryland Reply Comments to MD PSC Re: Long-term Planning for MD Gas Companies

September 12, 2025

Comment to HUD Regarding Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards for New Construction of HUD- and USDA-Financed Housing

August 4, 2025

Comment to FEMA Review Council on Heirs Property and Extreme Heat

May 15, 2025

Joint Consumer Comments on the Administrative Law Judge’s Ruling on Tariff-on-bill Proposals

May 14, 2025

Coalition Letter to Energy Secretary Urging Adequate Staffing for the Department’s Weatherization Assistance Program

May 5, 2025

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

AI Infrastructure Sign On Letter to the White House

October 4, 2024

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

September 27, 2024

Reports

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Protecting Access to Essential Utility Service During Extreme Heat and Climate Change (Updated)

July 7, 2026

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

Reversing Energy System Inequity: Urgency and Opportunity During the Clean Energy Transition

March 6, 2019

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

November 10, 2014

Issue Briefs

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Drive Cleaner, Pay Less: EVs and Affordability

July 31, 2026

Tariffed On-Bill Financing Poses Significant Risks for Low-Income Consumers

March 31, 2026

2025 Consumer Protection Federal Priorities

October 21, 2024

Rooftop Solar: Consumer Protection Recommendations

July 12, 2024

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

March 26, 2024

Retail “Choice” in Electricity Markets: A Bad Deal for Consumers and the Climate

March 30, 2023

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

July 1, 2021

Testimony

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Written Testimony in Support of Mass. S. 959, An Act Providing for Energy Assistance During the Summer Months

July 23, 2025

NCLC Testimony on Massachusetts H.4144, An Act Relative to Energy Affordability

July 2, 2025

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development

June 12, 2025

Testimony in Support of Maryland SB548 (Snydor), the Ratepayer Protection Act (STRIDE)

February 15, 2024

Testimony in Support of the Bill 108/Senate Bill 524

February 8, 2022

Testimony in Support of HB 982, Public Utilities—Low-Income and Middle-Income Housing—Energy Performance Targets

February 27, 2020

Press Releases

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Report Calls for Ban on Utility Disconnections During Extreme Heat

July 7, 2026

New Initiatives Empower Consumers Seeking Solar Power

August 8, 2024

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

May 20, 2024

Groups Celebrate Updated Energy Efficiency Rules for New U.S.-Backed Homes

April 25, 2024

New Report Details How Community Solar Programs Can Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income People and Address Climate Change

February 26, 2024

Statement in Response to Resolution to Overturn Furnace Efficiency Standards

February 1, 2024

Agreement on Home Appliance Efficiency Standards Will Preserve Consumer Features and Deliver Remarkable Energy Savings

September 13, 2023

U.S. Consumers Will Save $30 Billion with Proposed Residential Gas Furnace Standards

June 13, 2022

Over Two Dozen Consumer Groups Urge DOE’s Granholm to Immediately Act on Long Overdue, Legally Required, Efficiency Standard for Lighting Products

June 28, 2021

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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