The Enrollment Paradox

GMP made its assistance program more generous. Enrollment fell 26%.

Green Mountain Power expanded eligibility from 150% to 185% of the federal poverty level and increased the discount from 20% to 25%. The program became easier to qualify for and more valuable. Enrollment dropped from 10,560 to 7,770 participants. GMP covers 70% of Vermont and reaches only 25% of its eligible low-income customers.

GMP Energy Assistance Program: before and after expansion
Before expansion
Eligibility
150% FPL
Discount
20%
Enrolled
10,560
~30% of eligible customers (as of May 2019)
→
After expansion
Eligibility
185% FPL
Wider eligibility pool
Discount
25%
Higher discount value
Enrolled
7,770
~25% of eligible customers
Enrollment change
−26%
2,790 fewer participants despite broader eligibility and higher discount
Reach rate
25%
Of eligible customers. GMP serves ~260,000 total customers — 70% of Vermont's electric market.
LI customers served
~35,869
Estimated residential customers below 150% FPL in GMP territory. Roughly 28,000 eligible but not enrolled.
Other Vermont utility LI programs
BED
12.5% discount. 776 participants. 4.3% enrollment rate. BED's disconnection notice rate (14%) is 3× its enrollment rate.
VEC
ARPA-funded discount program. 365 participants. Temporary — expires when federal funds are exhausted. VEC also runs ACRE community solar: 400 customers, $45/month bill credit for 5 years.
Stowe Electric
No formal LI discount program. Provides differentiated Efficiency Vermont rebates: $2,000 for income-qualifying HP customers vs. $250 for non-qualifying.
Privacy restrictions prevent community action agencies from sharing income-eligible customer information with utilities, limiting the ability to auto-enroll or proactively target assistance. Pennsylvania's PECO achieved 83.7% enrollment by establishing 30 community-based enrollment sites. Vermont's utilities rely primarily on customer-initiated enrollment.
Privacy barrier — Stowe Electric filing, Docket 25-0443-INV. PECO comparison — PA PUC BCS Universal Service Report 2022.
Sources: GMP before: 150% FPL, 20% discount, 10,560 enrolled (May 2019, 30% reach) — pipeline data, Docket 25-0443-INV. GMP after: 185% FPL, 25% discount, 7,770 enrolled (26% decline, 25% reach) — pipeline data. GMP 35,869 LI customers below 150% FPL — pipeline data. GMP ~260,000 total customers — pipeline data. BED 776 participants, 12.5%, 4.3% enrollment — pipeline data, high-confidence items. VEC 365 participants, ACRE 400 customers/$45 credit — pipeline data, high-confidence item. Stowe $2,000/$250 rebate — pipeline data. Privacy restriction — Stowe Electric filing.