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2011 LIFE Regional Meeting SeriesMay 12, 2011Lake Placid, New York

Christopher CollNYSERDA

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The affordability of household energy bills depend on a number of factors:

• Income

• Housing

• Energy

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• 3.2% of New York’s population reside in the North Country

• 14.5% of the North Country’s population is age 65 and older

• 4% of housing structures located within the North Country

• Mean travel time of 21 minutes to work

Source: USDA Economic Research

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• Poverty rate of 13.8, represents 3% of NYS population in poverty

• Unemployment Rate of 9.8% in 2010, compared with 8% for the rest of the State

• <1% of NYS foreclosures in March 2011 • Median Household income was $43,698 in

2009, compared to $54,554 statewideSource: USDA Economic Research

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Source: 2009 ACS

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Source: 2009 ACS

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2000 US Census, 2009 ACS

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HH Energy Expenses

Remaining HH Income

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• Measure developed by Roger Colton (Fisher, Sheehan, & Colton)

• “Affordable” home energy bills should be equal to approximately %6 of annual income – Total housing burdens are affordable at 30% of income– Utility costs should be no more than 20% of housing costs – Utility costs affordable at 6% of income

• LIFE commissioned a NYS specific study, due out June 2011

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Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

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Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

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Source: NEADA 2009 National Energy Assistance Survey, April 2010

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