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Comment 55 for Public Workshops on Investment of Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities (sb-535-guidance-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Osmer
Email Address: dennis@energyservices.org
Affiliation: Central Coast Energy Services
Subject: Disadvantaged Communities
Comment:
Central Coast Energy Services respectfully submits the following comments on the identification of disadvantaged communities. We are a not for profit organization providing direct weatherization services to low income communities in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties with federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development. We also provide Software Services for program management in 22 other agencies delivering energy assistance services in California. 1. 5 Methods of Identifying Disadvantaged Communities Presented at Public Workshop – Program Appropriate Application In regard to the five methods introduced at recent public workshops, we hope the board will consider applying specific methods that are appropriate to each of the programs to be funded. Adopting a single method and applying it to each of the programs regardless of the targeted goals of each program would introduce an unnecessary difficulty in accomplishing those goals in every program from the start. The programs are diverse in their anticipated impact and the method of identifying disadvantaged communities most in need should be tailored to each program individually. 2. Method of Identifying Disadvantaged Communities to Benefit from Weatherization/Renewables - Low Income Weatherization Program In regard to a method applied to the Weatherization/Renewables Program and specifically the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP), we advocate for any method making all households within the CalEnviroScreen top scoring 25% of census tracts eligible. The LIWP would offer yet another weatherization program competing with the CPUC mandated Energy Savings Assistance Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance/Department of Energy Program (LIHEAP/DOE) administered by the State Department of Community Services and Development. This will certainly increase customer confusion and lack of acceptance of both programs implementers currently experience. The potential for leveraging existing programs is highly overrated. A broader eligibility criteria will provide for more efficient service delivery and greater value to people in disadvantaged communities using investment funds. This approach would also make the goal of committing 100% of the Weatherization/Renewables funds to directly benefit disadvantaged communities a reality.
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2014-09-15 12:00:04
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