$5 Million Approved for Low-Income Energy Efficiency in New York
Low-income natural gas customers of National Grid in New York will benefit from a $5 million extension of two existing energy efficiency programs designed for gas heating customers.
The New York State Public Service Commission voted August 22 to approve the $5 million extension for the Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and the EmPower New York programs. The former helps households with incomes less than 80 percent of the state's median income through a "building performance" approach to home improvements such as insulation, space and water heating system measures, replacement window and other energy efficiency improvements. Incentives are available to eligible customers for up to 60 percent of the cost of an energy efficiency project with a maximum subsidy of $6,000 per single-family home, or $12,000 per building with three to four family dwellings.
EmPower New York provides energy efficiency measures and energy-use management education to homeowners and renters with incomes below 60 percent of the state's median income, allowing, on average, about $2,380 of gas efficiency services such as wall and ceiling insulation, heating system repairs, and pipe insulation per home. Participants will be identified through direct referrals by National Grid, or eligible referrals from area Offices for the Aging and community-based organizations. Both programs are administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which also administers the EmPower New York program for low-income customers of electric utilities.
National Grid will fund the programs from its Contingency Reserve Account, which consists primarily of interstate pipeline refunds ordered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that are to be used for ratepayer benefit. In 2005, the Commission approved National Grid’s petition to establish a two-year, $5 million natural gas program.
Source: NY PSC