485 



Community-based organizations have experienced and competent 

 professional energy conservation stall 



The community-ba^cd organizations have been installing residential energy 

 conservation measures for a long time, and have some of the best trained 

 energy conservation workers in the state. In fact, Northwest utilities often 

 hire staff trained at DCD agencies because of their qualifjcations. These 

 experienced conservation workers arc a valuable resource to utilities and 

 BPA. They have educated others in innovative cost-effective conservation 

 measures such as blower-door-guidcd air sealing work and in mobile homo 

 weatberization techniques. Utilities and BBA benc&t from our long-term 

 experience in residential weathcri7iition through information sharing and 

 technical assistance. 



Other funds are not available for necessaty operating costs 



Up to 30% of the administrative costs of the utilities* BPA conservation 

 programs are paid for by the utilities. The utilities have resources for 

 administration and program support that are not available to the 

 community-based organizations. Rates can be set to generate funds to 

 supplement BPA conservation programs. 



The commututy-based orgaiuzations do not have the option of 

 supplementing the BPA program with other administrative resources. 

 These agencies are dependent on a variety of giants and contracts. Each 

 grant has Its own goals and statutory limitations. 



There are four basic weathcrization programs funded through DCD: 



• Weatberization Assistance Program (federal Department of Energy 

 funds) DOE 



• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (U.S. Department of 

 Health and Human Services funds) UHEAP 



• Energy Matchmakers Program (state funds and matching utility 

 contributions) 



• Bonneville Power Administration (federal funds) 



Agencies arc constantly strapped for ways to pay their capable and 

 qualifled stafi, who are not highly paid. 



