Topic:"Low Income Programs" in M12249

chieved in 2024 is not expected to continue in 2025 or 2026 as discussed in subsequent sections. overachieved its targets, driven by project completions in the Retrofit and New Construction services. For demand response, E1 has seen a shor...

AI summary E1 overachieved 2024 targets due to project completions in Retrofit and New Construction services but faced demand response shortfalls in 2023-2024 due to customer awareness, retention, and device adoption issues. Low-income program targets were met in 2024 but not 2023. E1 expects to achieve 90% compliance for three performance targets by 2025.

2.4 2026 DSM EXTENSION PORTFOLIO ASSUMPTIONS & DESIGN OBJECTIVES - In developing 2026 as an extension of the current 2023-2025 Plan, E1 also relied on the design objectives - and portfolio assumptions from the 2023-2025 Plan. - 2.4.1 GUID...

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension Plan builds on the 2023-2025 Plan, maintaining guiding principles like transparency and equity. E1 adjusted low-income investment targets from 17-22% to 15-20% based on updated 2021 census data showing lower low-income prevalence in Nova Scotia. Investment and energy savings splits remain 50% residential and 50% BNI programs.

1 5.2.5 M I'KM AW HOME ENERGY EFFICIEN CY PROJECT Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project is a whole-home retrofit service offered to customers at no-cost, available to band-owned homes and privately-owned homes in Mi'kmaw communities. It p...

AI summary The Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project offers no-cost whole-home retrofits to Mi'kmaw communities, including energy assessments and improvements to building envelopes and heating systems. The program aims to improve energy efficiency and comfort while prioritizing local employment.

11 Table 14: 2026 Summary of Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project Program Component Extension Investment ($M) Energy Savings (GWh) Demand Savings (MW) Participation (homes) 2026 Total 1.1 0.4 0.2 180 Program Component Changes • • • impac...

AI summary The Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project is being extended in 2026 with a total investment of $1.1 million, aiming to achieve 0.4 GWh in energy savings and 0.2 MW in demand savings across 180 homes. Appliance replacements are no longer offered, aligning with the Appliance Retirement program changes. Eligibility has been expanded to include Mi'kmaw homeowners in 2024, and marketing efforts include educational materials and community engagement.

Table 24: 2023-2026 Performance Indicators Approved 2023-2025 Performance Indicators 2026 2023-2026 • Annual incremental energy savings (reported by program and rate class) (GWh) ✓ ✓ • Cumulative annual energy savings (reported by program...

AI summary Table 24 outlines 2023-2026 performance indicators for energy savings, demand response, and customer satisfaction. Key metrics include annual and cumulative energy savings (GWh), system-peak demand savings (MW), ratepayer benefits, and low-income program impacts. The table emphasizes reporting by program, rate class, and equity considerations.

3 8.2.1 LOW-IN COM E AN D EQUITY PERFORM ANCE IND ICATORS - 4 In the approved 2023-2025 DSM Plan, the NSUARB established a performance indicator of 23.6 GWh of - 5 incidental cumulative annual energy savings from E1's non-targeted programs...

AI summary The NSUARB set a 23.6 GWh low-income and equity performance target for E1's 2023-2025 DSM Plan. E1 proposes 6.6 GWh for 2026, totaling 30.2 GWh by 2026. The 2026 DSM Extension includes metrics on participation, expenditures, and savings, with data in Table 25. Reference is made to NSUARB Order M10473.

1 Table 25: 2026 Low-income and Equity Performance Indicators - Non-Targeted Program Components 2026 Investment ($) First-Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savings (GWh) Peak Demand Savings (MW) Participation Unit Efficient Product...

AI summary Table 25 outlines 2026 performance indicators for low-income and equity programs in Nova Scotia, including investments, energy savings, and participation numbers for various initiatives like Efficient Product Installation and Residential Behaviour.

Appendix A Attachment 2: Estimation of DSM Low-Income and Equity Impacts

AI summary Appendix A, Attachment 2 focuses on estimating the impacts of Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs on low-income populations and equity. It likely involves analysis of cost recovery, benefit/cost ratios, and regulatory considerations under the Public Utilities Act (PUA) by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB).

EfficiencyOne Estimation of DSM Low-Income and Equity Impacts Date Filed: April 30, 2025

AI summary EfficiencyOne submitted a filing on April 30, 2025, estimating the low-income and equity impacts of Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs. The document focuses on analyzing how DSM initiatives affect vulnerable populations and equitable outcomes.

4 2. DEDICATED LOW-INCOME AND EQUITY PROGRAMS - 5 E1's DSM portfolio offers dedicated program components that exclusively serves low-income and 6 equity communities. This includes the following program components: - 7 Affordable Multi-Fami...

AI summary E1's Demand-Side Management (DSM) portfolio includes dedicated programs for low-income and equity communities, such as Affordable Multi-Family Housing, HomeWarming, and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project. These programs are assumed to generate 100% low-income and equity savings for reporting purposes in the 2026 DSM Extension.

16 Table 1: Dedicated Low-Income and Equity Program Components Program Component Assumptions Calculation for 2026 DSM Extension Calculation for DSM Reporting Affordable Multi-Family Housing and Non-Profit Organizations (AMF) • Exclusively...

AI summary This section outlines dedicated low-income and equity program components, including Affordable Multi-Family Housing, Affordable Single-Family Housing, and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project. It details assumptions, savings calculations, and performance targets established by the NSUARB for the 2023-2025 Plan period.

3. INCIDENTAL LOW-INCOME AND EQUITY IMPACTS FROM NON-TARGETED PROGRAMS E1 has also assumed that customers from low-income and equity communities participate in other E1 programs in varying proportions. These are "incidental" low-income and...

AI summary E1 assumes low-income and equity customers participate in non-targeted programs, leading to incidental impacts. Sections 3.1 and 3.2 detail assumptions for the 2026 DSM Extension and DSM reporting methodologies.

3.1 2026 DSM EXTENSION ASSUMPTIONS: INCIDENTAL IMPACTS To estimate the incidental low-income and equity impacts for the 2026 DSM Extension from non-targeted programs, E1's historical low-income and equity reporting relies on information ab...

AI summary The document discusses estimating incidental low-income and equity impacts for the 2026 DSM Extension using E1's historical data from 2023-2024, as actual project details are not available through modeling. Table 2 outlines assumptions and calculations for non-targeted program components.

The calculations use the general term "savings". The same calculations are applied to energy savings, peak demand savings, and program expenditures. Program Component Assumptions Calculation for 2026 DSM Extension Efficient Product Install...

AI summary The text outlines assumptions and calculations for the 2026 DSM Extension, focusing on how low-income and equity impacts are scaled for energy and demand savings, as well as expenditures, in the Efficient Product Installation (EPI) and Residential Behaviour (RB) programs.

5 Table 3: DSM Reporting: Incidental Low-Income Impacts for Non-Targeted Program Components Program Component Assumptions Calculation for DSM Reporting Residential Program Components Instant Savings • Assumed to be no incidental low-income...

AI summary Table 3 discusses the incidental low-income impacts of non-targeted program components in the Demand-Side Management (DSM) reporting. It highlights that the Instant Savings program assumes no incidental low-income participation and savings, particularly after the removal of lighting from the program in 2025.

5 Schedule A 6 Electricity Efficiency and Conservation Activities 7 The figure below identifies the scope of savings (4 year Cumulative Annual Energy Savings, Cumulative Annual Peak Demand Savings, Cumulative Annual Energy Savings from Low...

AI summary This section outlines the scope of electricity efficiency and conservation activities, including cumulative annual energy and peak demand savings over a four-year period, with a focus on low-income and equity programs, as well as available demand response capacity.

- x. Reporting on low-income & equity program participation, expenditures, and savings through a variety of methods, including estimation based on geographic census information.

AI summary The text discusses the reporting on low-income and equity program participation, expenditures, and savings using various methods, including estimation based on geographic census information.

6 Electricity Efficiency and Conservation Activities The figure below identifies the scope of savings (3 4 year Cumulative Annual Energy Savings, Cumulative Annual Peak Demand Savings, Cumulative Annual Energy Savings from Low Income & Equ...

AI summary The text outlines the scope of savings from electricity efficiency and conservation activities over a three-to-four-year plan, including cumulative annual energy and peak demand savings, as well as demand response capacity, with a focus on low-income and equity programs.

12 The 2024 Payment Schedule will be revised to reflect the carryforward , if any, related to 13 underspend from the 2020-2022 DSM Plan. 1 2 3 SCHEDULE C 4 Performance Requirements 5 6 I. UARB/NSEB-APPROVED PERFORMANCE TARGETS, THRESHOLDS,...

AI summary The 2024 Payment Schedule will be revised to account for any carryforward from underspend in the 2020-2022 DSM Plan. Performance targets and indicators are outlined, including energy savings, demand response capacity, and equity-related metrics.

G. Affordable Multifamily Housing (AMH) The Affordable Multifamily Housing (AMH) program provides affordable-housing owners and nonprofit organizations, including rehabilitation and transition housing, with incentives for building-wide ene...

AI summary The Affordable Multifamily Housing (AMH) program offers incentives for energy retrofits in affordable housing, funded by electric ratepayers and the Province of Nova Scotia. Since 2021, the Green Fund increased incentives to 80% for electrical projects and 100% for shelters. Participation rose from 79 to 83 projects between 2023-2024, with comprehensive projects increasing by 70% and prescriptive projects decreasing slightly. The Evaluator noted lower savings per prescriptive project and outlined evaluation objectives including energy savings and GHG emission reductions.

The Evaluator conducted: - Interviews with program staff, participants, and Energy Advisors. - Interviews with dropped-out participants and non-participants to analyze barriers to participation and operating agreement design. To determine...

AI summary The Evaluator assessed the Affordable Multifamily Housing (AMH) program, noting high participant satisfaction but challenges with incentive clarity, project delays, and audit templates. Energy savings fell short of targets, though participation increased. Recommendations include revising incentives, providing technical support, and improving audit templates. The evaluation method was deemed appropriate.

H. [Affordable Single-Family Homes (ASFH)](bookmark://_Toc170668323/) The Affordable Single-Family Housing (ASFH) program began in 2023 and provides energy efficiency retrofits and heat pump installations at no cost to income qualified hom...

AI summary The Affordable Single-Family Homes (ASFH) program, launched in 2023, offers free energy efficiency retrofits and heat pump installations to income-qualified homeowners. It partners with Efficiency Nova Scotia's Appliance Retirement and Efficient Product Installation programs. In 2024, 1,210 homes participated, achieving 3.719 GWh in energy savings, up from 1.444 GWh in 2023. Evaluations focused on program impact, savings calculations, and GHG emission reductions.

- For semi-prescriptive measures where in practice, savings are calculated on a project-by-project basis using unit specifications, representative variables are selected to 1 reflect the typical installation characteristics that E1 sees in...

AI summary The text discusses the methods and formulas used by EfficiencyOne (E1) for calculating low-income and equity savings and budget allocations for the 2026 DSM Extension Application. It references Attachment 2 of Appendix A, which details the approach for reporting actual impacts in E1's DSM reporting.

1 Request IR-07: 2 3 Reference: Page 5, lines 17-21. 4 5 The single change to the design objectives employed in the development of the 2026 DSM 6 Extension, was to reduce the percentage investment range for low-income and equity to 7 15-20...

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension reduced the investment range for low-income and equity programs from 17-22% to 15-20% based on updated census data showing a decline in low-income Nova Scotians. The request seeks clarification on the data source, acceptance of updated census data, and other factors influencing investment levels.

M12249 – EfficiencyOne (E1) Application for Approval of the 2026 DSM Extension 1 o As DR programs scale-up, fixed costs will be spread over more capacity 11 Please provide the justification as directed in the Board's Decision in matter M10...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) is applying for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension. E1 explains that some low-income and equity-focused programs do not meet the Total Resource Cost (TRC) test but argues that they provide net benefits and support equity. The Affordable Multi-Family Homes program is included despite not passing the TRC test due to its broader benefits.

2026 DSM Extension Application to the Energy Board Date Filed: June 25, 2025 REDACTED Synapse IR-04, Attachment 1, Page 4 of 19 - In E1's 2026 Extension Application we plan to request Energy Board approval of 2026 targets. These targets ar...

AI summary E1's 2026 DSM Extension Application seeks Energy Board approval for targets aligning with UARB's 2023-2025 approvals, including 116.0 GWh annual energy savings, 18.9 MW demand savings, and 4.0 GWh from low-income programs. No new performance targets are proposed.

Date Filed: June 25, 2025 REDACTED Synapse IR-04, Attachment 1, Page 6 of 19 2026 Investmenta ($ million) Lifetime Benefitsb ($ million) First Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savings (GWh) Peak EE Demand Savings (MW) Available DR...

AI summary The document provides a detailed breakdown of investment and benefits for various energy efficiency (EE) and demand response (DR) programs in Nova Scotia for 2026. It outlines program-specific investments, lifetime benefits, energy savings, and associated costs, with a focus on residential, business, non-profit, and institutional programs.

Affordable Single-Family Homes - Affordable Single-family Housing will largely follow the same approach for the 2026 DSM Extension as outlined in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. - Appliance replacements will no longer be offered, due to wind...

AI summary The 2026 DSM Extension for affordable single-family homes follows the 2023-2025 Plan, excluding appliance replacements due to the Appliance Retirement program's wind-up. A $7.7 million investment supports 800 homes.

Affordable Multi-Family Homes • Affordable Multi-Family Housing will follow the same approach for the 2026 DSM Extension as outlined in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. In 2026, a program investment of $1.8 million will support 88 customer pro...

AI summary The Affordable Multi-Family Housing program will extend its 2023-2025 DSM Plan approach to 2026, allocating $1.8 million to support 88 customer projects. This continuation emphasizes sustained investment in multi-family housing initiatives under the approved demand-side management framework.

- 1 mini-split heat pumps, in-floor heating, electric baseboards, central heat pumps, free-of- - 2 charge to eligible customers.

AI summary The text mentions the provision of 1 mini-split heat pumps, in-floor heating, electric baseboards, and central heat pumps at no charge to eligible customers.

1 Request IR-09: 2 - 3 Please refer to Table 5: 2026 Program Savings and Investment on page 23 of the Evidence. - 4 Footnote f states, "Reflects planned participation by low-income & equity customers. Numbers - 5 are a subset of Existing R...

AI summary Request IR-09 seeks tables breaking down Residential and BNI Low-Income & Equity program savings by component. EfficiencyOne (E1) responds by providing the Residential Low-Income & Equity subtotal breakout in Table 1 from their Evidence (page 23). The request references Table 5 in the Evidence but does not explicitly cite regulatory orders or legislation.

Table 1: Breakout of 2026 Residential Low-income and Equity Subtotal - 40010 21 21 24 04 10 41 0 0 20 20 11001 G = 9 G. 1 C / C 2026 Investment ($ million) Lifetime Benefits ($ million) First Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savin...

AI summary The table provides a detailed breakdown of the 2026 residential low-income and equity programs, including investments, lifetime benefits, energy savings, and cost tests. The data highlights the financial and energy efficiency impacts of various initiatives aimed at supporting low-income households and promoting equity.

Columns may add correctly sum due to rounding. & lt;sup>1 Reflects participation in E1's dedicated low-income and equity programs. Numbers are a subset of the Existing Residential program.

AI summary The text notes that participation in E1's low-income and equity programs is reflected in the numbers provided, which are a subset of the Existing Residential program. Rounding may affect the accuracy of column sums.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL $^2$ Reflects participation in E1's non-targeted program components with incidental low-income & equity impacts. Numbers are a subset of the Existing...

AI summary The text refers to participation in EfficiencyOne's non-targeted program components with incidental low-income and equity impacts, highlighting that the numbers provided are a subset of the Existing Residential program. It also references Table 2, which breaks down the BNI Low-income and Equity subtotal by program component.

Table 2: Breakout of 2026 BNI Low-income & Equity 2026 Investment ($ million) Lifetime Benefits ($ million) First Year Energy Savings (GWh) Lifetime Energy Savings (GWh) Peak EE Demand Savings (MW) Available Capacity (MW) Total Resource Co...

AI summary Table 2 provides a financial and performance breakdown of the 2026 BNI Low-income & Equity program, including investments, energy savings, and cost tests. The data highlights the program's impact on energy efficiency, savings, and resource costs.

M12249 – EfficiencyOne (E1) Application for Approval of the 2026 DSM Extension 1 Request IR-18: 2 3 Page 10 of Appendix A states, "E1 modified the investment in low-income and equity 4 communities objective for the 2026 DSM Extension as co...

AI summary EfficiencyOne (E1) has modified its investment in low-income and equity communities for the 2026 DSM Extension based on updated 2021 Census data showing a lower low-income prevalence rate of 14.9% compared to 17.2% in the 2023-2025 Plan. E1 also plans to streamline its residential heating system upgrade offerings, potentially using remote energy assessments to provide recommendations.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 BNI residential projects (excluding the dedicated low-income projects) using an 2 apartment prevalence of low-income Nova Scotians. (This estimation...

AI summary E1 provided information to Synapse Energy Economics regarding the percentage of low-income residents in Nova Scotia apartments, using data from the 2021 Census and the Nova Scotia Division of Economics and Statistics, estimating 44.9% of apartment residents are low-income.

4 Table 1: Low-income and Equity Incidental 2023 and 2024 Energy Savings by Program Component Program Component 2023 Low income & Equity Energy Savings (GWh) 2023 Total Program Energy Savings (GWh) 2023 Proportion of Low income & Equity (%...

AI summary Table 1 presents energy savings data for low-income and equity programs in 2023 and 2024, showing the contribution of various program components. Efficient Product Installation had the highest savings in both years, while Residential Behaviour and Business Energy Rebates showed varying levels of impact.

6 Table 2: Low-income and Equity Incidental 2023 and 2024 Demand Savings by Program Component Program Component 2023 Low income & Equity Demand Savings (MW) 2023 Total Program Demand Savings 2023 (MW) 2023 Proportion of Low income & Equity...

AI summary Table 2 provides data on low-income and equity incidental demand savings by program component for 2023 and 2024. It highlights the contribution of various programs such as Efficient Product Installation and Business Energy Rebates to overall demand savings, with varying proportions of low-income and equity savings.

8 Table 3: Low-income and Equity Incidental 2023 and 2024 Expenditures by Program Component 2023 Low 2023 2024 Low 2024 income & 2023 Total Proportion income & 2024 Total Proportion Program Equity Expenditures of Low Equity Expenditures of...

AI summary Table 3 outlines the low-income and equity incidental expenditures for 2023 and 2024 by program component. The data shows expenditures for various programs such as Efficient Product Installation and Residential Behaviour, along with their proportions of low-income and equity expenditures.

E1 Responses to Synapse Energy Economics (Synapse) Information Requests NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 profit organizations, affordable housing entities, provincial, municipal, regional housing 2 authorities – or "Housing") as shown in the calculation...

AI summary E1 explains its methodology for estimating low-income participation in BER-Instant Rebates (BER-IR) by assuming a proportion similar to BER-Application Rebates (BER-AR). The same methodology applies to BNI and Small Business Energy Solutions (SBES) programs. The text references E1's 2026 DSM Extension application (M12249).

2 Q. How cost-effective is the energy efficiency portion of the 2026 DSM 3 Extension at the program level? - 4 A. [Table 3](#page-12-0) shows the cost effectiveness of the energy efficiency program 5 components in the 2026 DSM Extension us...

AI summary The energy efficiency portion of the 2026 DSM Extension is evaluated for cost-effectiveness using PAC and TRC. Two residential program components, Affordable Single-Family Homes and the Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency Project, are found not to be cost-effective.

Q. Do you have any concerns that these energy efficiency program components are not cost-effective in the 2026 DSM Extension? A. No. These two program components that are not cost-effective using the PAC serve low-income customers and prog...

AI summary The respondent does not have concerns about the cost-effectiveness of the 2026 DSM Extension's energy efficiency programs. They note that low-income programs are not typically cost-effective using PAC due to higher incentives, but similar ratios were approved in the 2023-2025 Plan by NSEB. Cost-effectiveness is evaluated at the portfolio level.

Efficiency and Building Electrification Portfolios Through 2025: A Brief on the New York Public Service Commission's Recent Order. Synapse Energy Economics for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Kallay, J., A. Hopkins, J. Frost, A. Nap...

AI summary The document lists various energy efficiency and building electrification studies, comments, and reports by Synapse Energy Economics and partners. Key entities include Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Bloom Energy. Topics cover energy efficiency initiatives, low-income energy burden, fuel cell cost-effectiveness, and rate model enhancements. Cross-references include New York Public Service Commission Case 18-M-0084.

Table 1. Percentage Change in Unit costs (2024 Actual to 2026 Planned) Sector $/First Year kWh $/Lifetime kWh Residential 192% 429% Low-Income 332% 315% A.

AI summary Table 1 presents the percentage change in unit costs from 2024 actual to 2026 planned for residential and low-income sectors, showing significant increases in both first-year and lifetime costs per kWh.

20 A. In EfficiencyOne's response to CA IR-02 they give the following for the reason for 21 decreasing the GWh savings for Affordable Multi-Family Housing program: "A decline 1 in energy savings and increase in unit cost is expected as a r...

AI summary EfficiencyOne explains the decrease in GWh savings for the Affordable Multi-Family Housing program due to declining energy savings and rising unit costs, and the need to adjust funding. They also mention a change in methodology for allocating incidental low-income savings, which will likely result in lower reported savings for 2026.

- 24 A. Yes. Average savings are below the projected values assumed by EfficiencyOne, and 25 there should be effort put into improving average savings value and increasing 1 conversion rates to other programs. Mr. Peach's recommendation fo...

AI summary The testimony highlights that average energy savings are below projected values by EfficiencyOne, recommending efforts to improve savings and increase conversion rates. The witness suggests reallocation of funds, adjustments to low-income allocations, and continuation of savings from the Efficiency Insights program.

- Love, Theodore. J. Nunley. "Using Smart Thermostats to Engage Residential Customers and Drive Comprehensive Retrofit Projects" In Proceedings of the ACEEE 2020 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings , Washington, D.C.: American C...

AI summary The document text lists several publications and presentations by Theodore Love and colleagues on energy efficiency topics, including the use of smart thermostats, open data for energy usage prediction, and cost-effective natural gas retrofits for low-income customers.

Synapse - Synapse states: - Q. Do you have any concerns that these energy efficiency program components are not cost-effective in the 2026 DSM Extension? A. No. These two program components that are not cost-effective using the PAC serve l...

AI summary Synapse responds to concerns about the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency program components in the 2026 DSM Extension, stating that these components, which serve low-income customers, are not typically cost-effective due to the need for higher incentives.

1 cost-effectiveness ratios in the 2023-2025 Plan and received approval from the NSEB. Lastly, 2 cost effectiveness is assessed at the portfolio level.3 3 4 E1 Response 5 E1 asserts that program components which serve low-income and equity...

AI summary The document discusses the cost-effectiveness ratios in the 2023-2025 Plan, which were approved by the NSEB. It highlights E1's concern that low-income and equity program components may fall below cost-effectiveness thresholds due to the need for higher incentives. Synapse recommends that NSPI respond to E1's questions regarding August 2024 avoided costs and that the NSEB direct NSPI and E1 to update the 2027-2031 DSM Plan accordingly.

3.3 LOW-INCOME AND EQUITY SAVINGS ALLOCATIONS

AI summary This section discusses the allocation of low-income and equity savings within the regulatory proceeding. Key entities involved include Nova Scotia Power Inc. and the Nova Scotia Energy Board, with acronyms such as BCA and TRC referenced for analysis methodologies.

3.3.1 SURVEYS OF LOW-INCOME PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

AI summary This section discusses surveys conducted on low-income participants in energy programs, focusing on their experiences and feedback. Key entities include Nova Scotia Power Inc. and the Nova Scotia Energy Board, with topics related to program effectiveness and participant engagement.

Green Energy Green Energy states: …I recommend that surveys should be conducted for each of the programs to get a better assessment of the percentage of low-income customers participating in the programs not dedicated to low-income custome...

AI summary The text recommends conducting surveys to assess low-income participation in EfficiencyOne's programs, suggesting that the original allocation methodology may have overcounted savings, while the 2026 proposal might be overly conservative.

E1 Response E1 supports this recommendation, subject to the following conditions: (1) surveys will be executed exclusively for programs that involve some level of low-income and equity participation; and (2) the scheduling of these surveys...

AI summary E1 supports the recommendation with conditions: surveys limited to programs with low-income/equity participation and flexible scheduling aligned with program timelines. The response cites multiple exhibits and RIRs from the DSM Extension Application (M12249) and other documents.

Green Energy states: …The Efficient Product Installation program methodology has the same double counting issue that GEEG discussed with EfficiencyOne. It counts all of the known low-income customers plus applies the overall low-income pre...

AI summary Green Energy highlights a double-counting issue in the Efficient Product Installation program methodology, similar to one previously discussed by GEEG with EfficiencyOne. It recommends using overall low-income prevalence for all participants unless the known low-income participant count is higher.

E1 Response E1 submits that the reported low-income and equity impacts in Efficient Product Installation (EPI) for the undisclosed income group represents a small proportion of the overall total reported low-income and equity impacts for E...

AI summary E1 argues that the undisclosed income group's low-income and equity impacts are minimal, so using the 14.9% prevalence factor is appropriate until a survey is conducted. They oppose applying the same factor to all groups, as it may underreport impacts.

Green Energy states: Over three years, the residential sector will see unit costs for first year savings go up nearly three times higher, and lifetime savings unit costs rise over five times higher. In that same time span, low-income savin...

AI summary Over three years, residential energy costs for first-year and lifetime savings are projected to increase significantly, with low-income savings rising over four times. Green Energy highlights these rapid increases as concerning.

3.0 2026 DSM EXTENSION APPLICATION - [7] E1 seeks approval to invest the legislated $63,750,000 to achieve the following targets for 2026 under the four categories that were approved for the 2023-2025 DSM Plan: - a) Incremental annual net...

AI summary E1 seeks approval to invest $63.75 million to achieve updated energy efficiency and demand savings targets for 2026 under the extended 2023–2026 DSM Plan. The revised targets include cumulative energy savings and demand reductions, with a focus on low-income and equity programs. E1 used Guidehouse's modeling tools and engaged the DSMAG for input.

Avoided costs of both energy and capacity were based on NS Power's Evergreen IRP and avoided costs of transmission and distribution were provided by NS Power, both provided to the DSMAG on August 23, 2024. Avoided costs of carbon are embed...

AI summary The document discusses avoided costs related to energy, capacity, and carbon, referencing NS Power's Evergreen IRP and the 2026 DSM Extension. It outlines cost-effectiveness ratios, investment requirements for demand response (DR), and lifetime benefits calculations for energy efficiency (EE) and DR programs. It also mentions participation by low-income and equity customers in various programs.

lt;sup>1 Reflects planned participation by low-income & equity customers. Numbers are a subset of Existing Residential, BNI Efficient Product Rebates, Custom Incentives, and Direct Installation. [13] E1 states that marketing for the 2026 D...

AI summary The text discusses the 2026 DSM Plan, highlighting alignment with the 2023-2025 DSM Plan and data-driven marketing strategies. It also outlines modifications, retirements, and the structure of residential and BNI energy efficiency programs. The focus is on low-income and equity customers and the continuation of existing initiatives.

out of lighting as a low-cost opportunity (Instant Savings and Efficient Product Installation), and the expected decrease in participation in Home Energy Assessment. [Exhibit E-1, Appendix A, p. 19] [27] E1's application highlights the fol...

AI summary E1's 2026 DSM Extension application evaluates cost-effectiveness using TRC and PAC tests. While the overall portfolio passes both tests, low-income programs like Affordable Multi-Family Homes and Mi'kmaw Home Energy Efficiency fail TRC due to lower cost-effectiveness. The application highlights challenges in maintaining participation in Home Energy Assessment programs.

4.2 Consumer Advocate [31] Green Energy Economics Group (Green Energy), the Consumer Advocate's Consultant, recommended the 2026 DSM extension be granted with the following modifications: • To ensure the same sector budget allocation is us...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate supports the extension of the 2026 DSM plan with modifications, including reallocating funds to the residential sector and ensuring cost-effectiveness. Green Energy Economics Group recommended adjusting budget allocations and conducting surveys on low-income participation. E1 agrees with the recommendations, subject to specific conditions.

IN THE MATTER OF: An Application by EFFICIENCYONE for approval of the 2026 DSM Extension for Demand-Side Management Activities between EfficiencyOne and Nova Scotia Power Inc., and for approval of the amendment to the 2023-2025 Demand-Side...

AI summary EfficiencyOne seeks approval for a 2026 DSM Extension and amendment to a 2023-2025 Purchase Agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. The Affordable Energy Coalition (AEC) requests intervenor status to advocate for low-income electricity access, emphasizing issues impacting vulnerable customers.

a. Please provide a comparison of the Investment, Lifetime Benefits (TRC), Lifetime Benefits (PAC), TRC, and PAC for heat pump measures in the Green Heat program 1 component to the heat pump measures in the Home Energy Assessment program 2...

AI summary The text requests a comparison of investment and lifetime benefits (TRC and PAC) for heat pump measures in the Green Heat program. It references design objectives from the 2023-2025 and 2026 DSM Extension plans, including investment splits and energy savings distributions between residential and BNI programs.

most recently available Census data at the time of Plan development)." How did E1 use this information to modify its investment in low-income and equity communities? Request IR-19: Pages 22 and 23 of Appendix A states, "E1 will incorporate...

AI summary The document outlines several requests for clarification regarding E1's modifications to its investment in low-income and equity communities, the streamlined offering for residential heating system upgrades, the Home Energy Assessment program's failure to pass TRC, updates to low-income impact assumptions, and the impact of extending eligibility to Mi'kmaw homeowners.

A states, "Eligibility was extended to support Mi'kmaw homeowners in 2024, in addition to Band owned homes, in Mi'kmaw communities." a. To what extent has the inclusion of homeowners increased demand? b. Please explain if and how the propo...

AI summary The text requests information on the impact of expanding eligibility to Mi'kmaw homeowners in 2024 on demand and how the 2026 Plan Extension addresses this. It also seeks clarification on E1's performance targets for demand response and energy efficiency, including definitions of 'energy efficiency savings targets' and differences between Demand Savings for EE and Available Capacity for DR.

b. Please explain why 2023 actuals are not included in the scaling factors for the Residential Behavior program component. c. For program components in which the actuals are not relatively consistent from 2023 to 2024, please discuss why E...

AI summary The NSUARB requests clarification on scaling factors for the Residential Behavior program, excluding 2023 actuals and using 2023-2024 averages. It also questions methodology for attributing low-income savings in DSM Reporting, focusing on Business Energy Rebates, Custom, and Small Business Energy Solutions programs.

39 Request IR-3: 40 41 Reference: EfficiencyOne's Evidence, p. 23, Table 5 42 43 With reference to each of the programs, please provide in Microsoft Excel format a side-by-side 44 comparison of the originally filed budgets for 2025 and the...

AI summary The document requests a side-by-side comparison of 2025 and 2026 budgets for DSM programs in Excel format, detailed explanations for budget differences, underlying assumptions, formulas, and methods for allocating resources to low-income and equity customers. References to EfficiencyOne's Evidence are cited.

Synapse Evidence, p. 4 4 [E](#page-1-7)xhibit E-16, GEEG Evidence, p. 7 5 [E](#page-1-9)xhibit E-16, GEEG Evidence, p. 9 cost-effective savings for residential ratepayers.["](#page-2-0) 6 GEEG further recommended that "[s]urveys should be...

AI summary GEEG recommended conducting surveys to assess low-income participation in energy efficiency programs and advised against adopting a 2024 Savings Verification Report recommendation to discontinue counting savings for the Efficiency Insights program. E1 responded to these recommendations in its reply.

- Request for surveys: As noted above, GEEG recommended that E1 should conduct surveys to assess participation of low-income customersin programs not dedicated to low-income customers. E1 agreed to do this in its Reply Evidence, but said t...

AI summary The document discusses recommendations from GEEG regarding surveys for low-income customers, allocation of savings, and low-income prevalence in E1's programs. E1 agrees with some recommendations but disputes others, while the Consumer Advocate acknowledges potential minor issues. Rising residential acquisition costs are also noted.

Energy and demand savings targets E1 proposes the following targets to correlate to the 2026 spend: - (a) incremental annual net energy savings: 116 GWh. - (b) incremental annual net demand savings: 18.9 MW. - (c) total available capacity...

AI summary E1 proposes energy and demand savings targets for 2026, including 116 GWh annual net energy savings and 18.9 MW demand savings. The extended DSM Plan under the PUA revises targets for 2023-2026 to 528.7 GWh energy savings and 97.7 MW demand savings, with a total investment of $236.8 million over four years.

2026 DSM PROGRAMMING CHANGES On the residential side, E1 ended appliance retirement on January 8, 2025, as delivery costs were rising, savings were declining as units being retired were newer and more efficient already. In addition, starti...

AI summary E1 ended appliance retirement in 2025 due to rising costs and declining savings, replaced seasonal campaigns with year-round rebates, and added electrician-installed measures for 'Eco Shift' demand response. 'Green Heat' was retired due to lower participation from federal grants, while HEA introduced virtual audits and expanded eligibility. BNI programs saw small business measure expansions and commercial battery additions to demand response.

3. CONSUMER ADVOCATE - 11 The Submission filed by the Consumer Advocate acknowledges that it is satisfied with most of E1's - 12 responses to recommendations provided by Green Energy Economics Group ("Green Energy"), the - 13 Consumer Advo...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate is satisfied with most of E1's responses to Green Energy's recommendations, including commitments to evaluate low-income and equity customer participation and preserving residential savings. However, the Consumer Advocate disagrees with E1's decision not to increase residential program budgets as recommended.

Avoided costs of both energy and capacity were based on NS Power's Evergreen IRP and avoided costs of transmission and distribution were provided by NS Power, both provided to the DSMAG on August 23, 2024. Avoided costs of carbon are embed...

AI summary The document discusses avoided costs related to energy, capacity, and carbon, referencing NS Power's Evergreen IRP and E1's approach to calculating these costs. It also outlines cost-effectiveness ratios and provides details about DR and EE programs, including investment requirements, program lifetimes, and participation by low-income and equity customers.

lt;sup>1 Reflects planned participation by low-income & equity customers. Numbers are a subset of Existing Residential, BNI Efficient Product Rebates, Custom Incentives, and Direct Installation. [13] E1 states that marketing for the 2026 D...

AI summary E1 outlines its marketing strategy for the 2026 DSM Plan, emphasizing data-driven approaches to optimize campaigns. The plan includes modifications to existing programs and retirements, but no new programs are introduced. Residential and BNI energy efficiency programs are detailed, covering rebates, assessments, and behavior initiatives.

[23] E1 said it remains steadfast in its commitment, established in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, to ensure that programs are both designed and delivered on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis. Specifically, the 2026 DSM Extension will con...

AI summary E1 reaffirms its commitment to equitable energy efficiency programs, as outlined in the 2023-2025 DSM Plan, and explains the 2026 DSM Extension's allocation of 20.2% of its investment to low-income and equity communities. E1 adjusted the investment range for these communities based on updated census data and notes an increase in the portfolio unit cost for energy efficiency from $0.44/kWh in 2025 to $0.49/kWh in 2026 due to changes in program mix and participation.

4.2 Consumer Advocate [31] Green Energy Economics Group (Green Energy), the Consumer Advocate's Consultant, recommended the 2026 DSM extension be granted with the following modifications: • To ensure the same sector budget allocation is us...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate recommends granting the 2026 DSM extension with adjustments, including reallocating funds to the residential sector and ensuring proper cost-effectiveness and low-income participation in programs. Green Energy Economics Group supports these recommendations and advises against discontinuing savings verification for the Efficiency Insights program.

5.9 Performance Requirements [81] For the 2026 DSM Extension, E1 proposes to use the same definitions of performance metrics, targets, performance indicators, and thresholds as in the approved 2023-2025 Plan. E1 proposes that its performan...

AI summary E1 proposes extending DSM performance metrics from 2023-2025 to 2026, including targets like 528.7 GWh energy savings, 97.7 MW peak demand reduction, and 16.3 MW winter demand response. E1 also seeks to include low-income programs and estimates a $236.8M investment over four years.