PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Energy matchmakers, chapter 365-180 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.164.040(5).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rules for the energy matchmakers weatherization program were established more than twenty years ago. Since then, the weatherization program has gone from simple energy-saving applications to a diagnostically driven, systematic evaluation of a home's heat loss, heating system performance, and the application of cost-effective materials designed to reduce energy use in the home. Along with a more sophisticated approach to weatherization comes requirements to ensure a dwelling is left not only more energy efficient, but is also durable, safe and healthy. Federal funding sources have made provisions for these additional requirements, but the energy matchmakers weatherization program statute and rules have not. Additionally, existing rules don't identify areas that should be addressed (e.g., service to Native Americans, community-based needs, or environmentally sustainable practices). Proposed rule changes will allow more funding flexibility to include additional requirements and help the department's weatherization providers to better serve low-income clients across the state.
Process for Developing New Rule: Draft rules have been reviewed by a committee of stakeholders. Additional feedback will be accepted at a public hearing in central Washington.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Loralei Walker, CTED, Housing Division, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, phone (360) 725-2955, fax (360) 586-5880, e-mail loraleiw@cted.wa.gov.
July 1, 2008
Marie Sullivan, Director
Government Relations