HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5014

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Williams, Owen, Stratton, Warnke, Smitherman, Wojahn, DeJarnatt, Bailey, Saling, Talmadge, Garrett, Bauer, Rasmussen, Tanner and Moore)

Providing for weatherization of residences of low-income persons.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Barnes, Brooks, Gallagher, Hankins, Jacobsen, Jesernig, Madsen, May, Miller, Sutherland, Unsoeld and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113) and Ted Hunter (786-7114)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Weatherizing a home to decrease its energy use typically saves about $3 for every $1 spent.  The comfort and health of residents also is improved.  Washington currently weatherizes each year about 6,000 homes of low-income families, using federal and utility funds.  The state has a waiting list of about 34,500 families, and existing funding sources are decreasing.  About 135,000 low-income families are eligible for the weatherization program.

The foregoing is important to the economic and physical health of low-income people.  Weatherization makes their heat more affordable and more likely that home temperatures will be maintained at a healthy level.  Moreover, low-income home heating assistance payments will go further with more low-income homes weatherized.

The Governor's Power Washington Committee has allocated $12 million to establish a low-income weatherization fund.  Using matching funds, more than 25,000 homes eventually could be weatherized under the program approved by the Power Washington Committee.

SUMMARY:

The low-income weatherization fund is created as an account in the state treasury.  Money from the fund can be spent only by legislative appropriation.

The Department of Community Development is authorized to solicit proposals from utilities, landlords, and others to use money from the fund for low-income weatherization.  The department is authorized to require matching funds and is directed to allocate money among proposals to achieve as much savings as possible.  A rented home cannot be weatherized without permission of the owner, and the department shall ensure that the benefits accrue primarily to the tenant.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steve Bauck, Ecumenical Metropolitan Ministry; Cathey Trader, Snohomish County Human Services Department; Dave Rogers, Washington PUD Association; Sue Ellerman, Fair Budget Action Campaign; David Sjoding, State Energy Office and Chair, Governor's Power Washington Committee; Arnold Livingston, Senior Citizen Lobby; Claire Hopkins, Department of Community Development; Liz Thomas, People's Organization for Washington Energy Resources; Mike Tracy, Puget Power; Tom Paine, Washington Water Power; Ron Newbry, Pacific Power; Scott Nelson, Washington Natural Gas; Phyllis Pilgrim, Tacoma City Light; Randy Scott, Seattle City Light; Michael Karp, Whatcom Opportunity Council; Don Keenan, Washington State Community Action Agency Directors Association; Tim Stearns, Northwest Conservation Act Coalition.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It's critical to have affordable heat for low-income people, especially elderly and young.  Some people have had to choose between food and heat.  Federal and Bonneville Power Administration low-income weatherization funding is declining.  This use of oil overcharge monies is strongly supported.  This program allows leveraging of funds for more weatherization.  Weatherization produces local employment.  Conservation embodied in low-income weatherization reduces uncertainly in future energy requirements.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.