482 



The Honorable Peler Del-'azio 

 July 12. 1993 



Page Two 



We are reminded l>y BPA often, however, that low-income weatherization is not as cost 

 effective as other alternatives. Is it fair to use the same standards to compare the energy 

 efficiency of an industrial motor to the benefits to an elderly person for a warm house 

 and lower heating bills? BPA's cost effectiveness determinations also do not coasider 

 the benefits to a neighborhood for saving a house, or the benefits to society for 

 preventing homelessness. 



There are other values lied to low-income weatherization, such as homelessness 

 prevention, housing preservation, utility bill arrearage reduction, and health and safely 

 improvements, 



The cost effectiveness of BPA's low-income weatherization program is hindered by 

 BPA's reluctance to incorporate newer, energy-saving technologies into its program. 

 Blower door guided air scaling, duct repair, and air pressure balancing are among the 

 proven, cost-effective measures that are currently not allowable or promoted in the BPA 

 Weatherwise Program. BPA does not need to research or evaluate these technologies 

 since there are studies of low-income weatherization in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, 

 South Carolina, and New York State that show that these new technologies greatly 

 improve the cost-effectiveness and energy savings of weatherization programs. 



Please refer to the enclosed paper, which summarizes Washington Slate's low-income 

 weatherization programs. We will gladly provide further information to your Task Force. 



The Northwest Power Planning Council recogni/.ed the many worthwhile benefits of low- 

 income programs in its regional power plan. The Council clearly stated that BPA should 

 Tully fiind low-income programs. The benefits of the low-income conservation program 

 justify a generous interpretation of cost-effectiveness. 



KPA should not lose sight of its mis.sion a.s a public agency lo serve the best interests of 

 the social network of the Northwest, and not just the power structure. The power 

 delivery system was built lo enhance the economic opportunity of the Northwest for all. 



