13 Reduction of home energy needs,2605(b)(16) - Assurance 16

13.1 Describe how you use LIHEAP funds to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance? We contract with The Energy Project (TEP) to provide testimony in rate cases to ensure low-income populations are represented at the Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) meetings. TEP provides education to the UTC and other parties on the need for low-income services and inclusion of low-income provisions in rate cases, and utility-provided assistance programs for low-income customers. Each local agency has the option to provide conservation education to applicants. This can occur during the intake process, through a group workshop, or an in-home visit. Local agencies provide their conservation plan in their annual application to provide LIHEAP services, which Commerce approves. Any conservation education services provided are done so equitably to all households served. Conservation education services include but are not limited to: · Energy conservation education classes · Informational videos · Handouts/flyers · Energy conservation kits · Review and education of the household’s energy usage and costs · Hands-on conservation exhibits · In-home visits in conjunction with weatherization home energy efficiency assessments · Engaging with the Utilities and Transportation Commission on rate cases · Educating legislative staff on the energy issues faced by our shared customers 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? In Commerce’s budget matrix, we set a ceiling of 3.75% for Assurance 16 activities. When allocated and contracted to local agencies, these activities are tracked, recorded and reported as an individual line item referred to as conservation education. Each local agency is required to establish specific accounting codes to identify Assurance 16 expenditures from other allowable costs. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. N/A. Households do not apply for conservation education services. Contractors who elect and are approved by Commerce to provide conservation education services will do so equitably to all households. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. N/A. Households do not apply for conservation education services. Contractors who elect and are approved by Commerce to provide conservation education services will do so equitably to all households. 13.5 How many households received these services? 90,000 If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.