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104. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
A major part of the state planning process by OCS is the projection of funds available for the various program components. The primary source of funding for program activities comes from a federal block grant. Several state and private sources may supplement the federal funds.
LIHEAP is a block grant that is allocated to the states each year to provide energy assistance. The actual amount of the annual appropriation passed by Congress can change significantly from year to year and frequently comes after the program is well underway. In some years a tentative appropriation is passed in a Continuing Resolution (CR) which awards a lower amount to the State than the ultimate appropriation which passes later in the fiscal year.
In addition, Congress frequently designates a part of the appropriation as “emergency” or “contingency” funds to be made available later. The Energy Emergency Contingency Fund (EECF) Grant usually comes with a weather-related emergency or significant rise in fuel costs, and frequently, late in the year. The initial budget should not count on these set aside funds.
Based on the annual appropriation the OCS prepares a functional budget in the State Plan which indicates the percentages allocated for each program funding component. A more detailed budget is presented at the annual public hearing on the Plan. This budget is presented in the form of the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) form. (See Section 1700, Appendices, Forms).
(See the current State Plan for projected percentages budgeted for each major category).
105. OTHER FUNDS
105.1 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
The State of Delaware participates along with nine (9) other Northeastern and Mid- Atlantic states in the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By capping greenhouse emissions, these will reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector 10%, by 2018. States sell nearly all emission allowances through auctions and invest proceeds in consumer benefits: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other clean energy technologies. A portion of the revenue to Delaware is dedicated to providing energy assistance services to the low- income. RGGI money under the low income umbrella is designated for LIHEAP and Weatherization. These funds are split between LIHEAP and Weatherization programs.