FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5014

                                   C 36 L 87

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.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

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.  Each year about 6,000 homes of low-income families in Washington are weatherized, 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 families are eligible for the weatherization program.

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

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 to achieve as great 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.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     2

      House 97   0 (House amended)

      Senate    48     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:April 13, 1987