. Texas Energy Poverty Profiles Project 203 . Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Policy Research Project Report Number 203 Texas Energy Poverty Profiles Project PROJECT DIRECTED BY Heath J. Prince, Ph.D. Dana Harmon A report by the Policy Research Project on Texas Low-Income Profiles Project 2018 . The LBJ School of Public Affairs publishes a wide range of public policy issue titles. Information is also available online at www.utexas.edu/lbj/pubs/. ISBN-13: 978-0-89940-831-6 ©2019 by The University of Texas at Austin All rights reserved. No part of this publication or any corresponding electronic text and/or images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. Cover photos from DepositPhotos . Policy Research Project Participants Students Kiran Awan, Bachelor of Arts in English, University of South Alabama, 2016; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Sarah Garza, Bachelor of Arts in Theater, Occidental College, 2009; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Dori Grabinski, Bachelor of Arts in English, the Ohio State University, 2014; Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, 2018. Reiner Hershaw, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Washington, 2012; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Megan Maldonado, Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, 2016; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Preston Poole, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Rhodes College, 2012; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. George “Ned” Ryan, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Goucher College, 2017; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. David Saustad, Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science, Boston College, 2017; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Nathan Shaw-Meadow, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Southwestern University, 2010; Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, 2018. Kat White, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Baylor University, 2017; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. Rand Zeolla, Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Texas State University, 2016; Master of Public Affairs Candidate, University of Texas at Austin, 2019. i . Project Directors Heath J. Prince is the Director and a Research Scientist at The Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, LBJ School of Public Affairs. His current work includes the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development’s study into youth employment programs and policies in five Middle Eastern and North African countries, as well as a grant from the Netherlands Scientific Research Organization to conduct a behavioral economics experiment in northern Jordan. In addition, Dr. Prince is a principal investigator on a project for Nuru International to evaluate the multidimensional poverty impacts of its interventions in Ethiopian and Kenyan farming communities. Dana Harmon is the Executive Director of the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute, an organization dedicated to inspiring lasting energy solutions for low-income communities. Dana has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the organization. Her work takes a holistic approach to exploring the role energy can play in the transition from poverty to self- sufficiency. Prior to joining TEPRI in 2016, she enjoyed a 15-year career in the energy service and consumer products sectors. i . Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. i List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................v Foreword ............................................................................................................................ vi Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... vii Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Overview ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Energy Burden Indicators ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Literature Review.................................................................................................... 5 1.3.1 Overview .........................................................................................................5 1.3.2 Domestic Research and Policy........................................................................5 1.3.3 Texas Research and Policy .............................................................................7 1.3.4 Global Research and Policy ............................................................................7 1.3.5 Private Research and Initiatives ....................................................................11 1.3.6 Data Analysis Review ...................................................................................11 1.4 Research Overview & Structure ........................................................................... 12 1.4.1 Research Mission ..........................................................................................12 1.4.2 Report Overview ...........................................................................................13 1.4.3 Report Structure ............................................................................................13 2. Methodology ..................................................................................................................13 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 13 2.2 American Community Survey Data Methodology ............................................... 14 2.2.1 Data Collection .............................................................................................14 2.2.2 Data Aggregation ..........................................................................................14 2.2.3 Data Analysis ................................................................................................14 2.3 Survey Methodology ............................................................................................. 15 2.3.1 Survey Design ...............................................................................................15 2.3.2 Survey Dissemination ...................................................................................16 2.3.3 Survey Sampling ...........................................................................................17 2.3.4 Data Processing .............................................................................................18 2.3.5 Energy Poverty Variable ...............................................................................18 2.4 Interview Methodology ......................................................................................... 19 2.5 Models and Other Methods ................................................................................... 20 2.5.1 GIS Mapping .................................................................................................20 i . 3. Full Texas Profile ...........................................................................................................20 3.1 American Community Survey Data versus the Texas Communities Profile Series Survey Data ................................................................................................................. 20 3.1.1 Housing Structure .........................................................................................20 3.1.2 Sociodemographics .......................................................................................23 3.2 Survey Findings .................................................................................................... 25 3.2.1 Demographics ...............................................................................................26 3.2.2 Housing Characteristics ................................................................................26 3.2.3 Energy Efficiency .........................................................................................48 3.2.4 Financial Situation ........................................................................................59 3.2.5 Healthcare & Insurance .................................................................................66 4. Interviews .......................................................................................................................71 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 71 4.2 Interview Findings Case Studies ........................................................................... 71