Background:
Since 1974, New Hampshire's six Community Action Agencies (CAA) have weatherized NH's low-income homes with funding from the Department of Energy, ratepayer funded Core program, grant money, and/or donations. In 2008, funds from the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund expanded the program through StayWarmNH.
The goal of weatherization is to improve the energy efficiency, safety, and comfort of low-income homes. Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act significantly boosts the amount of work that can be done on each housing unit and the number of homes that will receive attention. To meet this goal, the CAAs anticipate hiring energy auditors and weatherization professionals.
There are many components to ARRA funding for the Federal Weatherization Assistance Program. Here is a brief explanation of the guidelines and how the program will work:
- This existing program provides for insulation, air sealing and at times furnace repair and replacement and other measures in low-income households
- Weatherization funding is significantly increased under the ARRA, with approximately $23.2 M over and above the allocation of approximately $3 million to the state under normal federal funding
- ARRA funding will allow 3,500 or more additional homes to be weatherized and create approximately 184 new jobs to provide these services
- ARRA increased the average investment allowed for each dwelling unit weatherized, from$2,500 to $6,500
- ARRA raised the eligibility from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Funds will begin to arrive by April 1, 2009; OEP must demonstrate that the funs are being moved quickly to the CAAs in order to obtain our full allocation.
- The CAAs and OEP are allowed to use a portion of the funds to recruit and train auditors and work crews
- OEP is now working with the CAAs and other providers to increase the available auditors and work crews and arrange for training
- Because stimulus funds must be accounted for separately from other Weatherization funds, OEP is preparing materials and training for financial management of the funds by the CAAs
- All funds must be obligated no later than September 30, 2010 and funds may be expended over a three year period, that is until March 31, 2012
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Status:
The NH Office of Energy and Planning received federal guidelines  from the US Department of Energy (DOE). On March 18th, 2009, OEP submitted its initial application to the DOE for effect April 1, 2009. We obtained approval from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to accept and expend these funds on March 20, 2009, and will take the CAA contracts to the Governor and Executive Council for approval on April 1, 2009.
A more comprehensive plan, detailing the deployment of the funds, has been submitted to the US Department of Energy.
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