John Howat

John Howat has been involved with energy programs and policy issues since 1981. Areas of expertise include: design and analysis of low-income energy affordability and efficiency programs, low-income utility consumer protection, energy expenditure and burden analysis, prepayment and advanced metering, utility credit reporting and utilization of credit scores, development and analysis of utility arrearage and customer service data, analysis of program participation and outreach efforts, and utility rate design. Currently at the National Consumer Law Center, John represents public and private, nonprofit organizations in proceedings before state utility regulatory commissions and manages a range of regulatory, legislative and non-governmental projects across the country in support of low-income consumers' access to affordable utility and energy-related services.

Previously, he served as Research Director of the Massachusetts Joint Legislative Committee on Energy, responsible for development of new energy efficiency programs and low-income energy assistance budgetary matters; Economist with the Electric Power Division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, responsible for analysis of electric industry restructuring proposals and utility efficiency programs; and Director of the Association of Massachusetts Local Energy Officials.  In addition, in 1997 he formed and operated the largest energy buying group in Western Massachusetts. John has a Master's Degree from Tufts University's Graduate Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and a B.A. from The Evergreen State College.