(1) Plans submitted by energy suppliers shall include a commitment of a matching contribution. Matching contributions can be either cash, in-kind contributions, or both. The match must cover half of the total cost of the low-income weatherization being proposed in the local area.

(2) Only resources that would not otherwise have been used for low-income weatherization will be considered as match.

(3) A sponsor may pay the sponsor match as lump sum at the time of weatherization, or make yearly payments over a period not to exceed ten years. When the sponsor elects to make yearly payments, the value of the payments shall be determined by the department, but shall not be less than the value of the lump sum that would have been made.

(4) All match committed shall result in:

(a) Increasing the number of residences weatherized;

(b) Increasing weatherization measures installed on or in the residence; or

(c) Otherwise increasing the thermal efficiency of the residence.

(5) The department may place a cap on the amount of match it will accept under subsection (4)(c) of this section.

(6) Match waivers may be granted by the department for plans submitted by nonutility sponsors.