title
Presentation, discussion, and possible action on approval of the draft 2025 U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program state plan for public comment
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 (42 USC §6851), as amended in Title II, Part 2 of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act allows U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funds to be utilized to carry out a program of weatherization assistance for low-income persons;
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) develops and submits a State Plan to the DOE each year to administer the WAP;
WHEREAS, because a budget has not yet been passed by Congress and signed by the President, DOE is unable to issue the Department its Program Year (PY) 2025 allocation, but has provided the Department with an estimated allocation for PY 2025 DOE WAP funds which is used in the development of this draft Plan; and
WHEREAS, upon approval, the attached draft 2025 DOE WAP State Plan will be made available for public comment;
NOW, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the draft 2025 DOE WAP State Plan, in the form presented at this meeting, is hereby approved for public comment; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final plan with consideration for public comment, corrections required by DOE, and technical corrections made by staff, along with award recommendations for the Subgrantees as indicated in Section IV.1 of the State Plan will be presented to the Board no later than the meeting of April 10, 2025, and will serve as a public hearing as required by 10 CFR §440.12(a).
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BACKGROUND
DOE WAP funding provides for the installation of weatherization measures to increase energy efficiency of a home including caulking; weather-stripping; adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; patching holes in the building envelope; duct work; and repair or replacement of energy inefficient heating and cooling systems. Additionally, the funds allow Subgrantees to complete financial audits, household energy audits, outreach and engagement activities, and program administration. The funding also provides for state administration and state training and technical assistance activities.
The list of Subgrantees and estimated award amounts are included in the State Plan in Section IV.1, Subgrantees. This list of Subgrantees has not been through the Department’s Previous Participation Review and the Board is not approving a list of awardees at this time. For planning purposes, DOE has provided the Department an estimated allocation to use in the development of this draft Plan (i.e., $8,354,422). When DOE adjusts the allocations based on a budget passed by Congress and signed by the President, the Department will also adjust its PY 2025 DOE WAP budget activities and Subgrantee awards accordingly in the DOE State Plan.
Other than making the usual year-to-year updates to the Plan such as updating dates, updating key staff, and aligning the Plan with updated DOE guidance, there are no significant content changes to the draft 2025 Plan. Prior to the draft Plan being presented at this Board meeting, Department staff requested feedback on the Plan from its 21 weatherization Subgrantees. Knowing they will have another opportunity to do so during the public comment period, the Subgrantees did not provide feedback on the drafting of this Plan.
An announcement of the availability of the draft Plan and details regarding the timeframe to accept comments from the public and the public hearing will be posted on the Department’s website no later than February 10, 2025, and published in the Texas Register on February 21, 2025. The period to accept comments from the public regarding the Plan will be open from February 21, 2025, through March 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Written comments concerning the Plan may be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Community Affairs Division, P.O. Box 13941, Austin, TX 78711-3941, or by email to gavin.reid@tdhca.texas.gov. Comments are due no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on March 17, 2025.
The Department will also conduct a virtual public hearing for the Plan at 10 a.m. CST on March 5, 2025, through GoTo Webinar. Meeting details are:
• March 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CST
o Via GoTo Webinar or Call-In (Audio Only)
o To Register, follow this link: <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5455734260913355606>
o Call-In Number (Audio Only): (631) 992-3221, Audio Access Code: 677-704-330
Upon completion of the public comment period, staff will meet with the WAP Policy Advisory Council and modify the Plan, if appropriate, based on public comment. Staff will also include any changes required by federal guidance.
DOE regulations require a Weatherization Policy Advisory Council be designated in the Plan in order to provide guidance and comment on the Plan. The Policy Advisory Council is composed of four individuals appointed by the Department. The Policy Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on March 18, 2025, after the public comment period.