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Committee advances Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act pilot with low-income set-aside
Summary
The committee advanced a pilot to fund electrification and weatherization projects — 40% of pilot projects must be in low- or moderate-income areas — and members asked whether building owners would be means-tested and how utilities would access capital.
The committee advanced Bill 9735, described as the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would authorize a pilot program focused on electrification and weatherization and include a jobs component.
A sponsor explained the pilot would include between one and 10 projects, with at least 40% sited in low- or moderate-income areas. Senators asked whether individual building owners would be means-tested and whether a building owner in an affluent area could receive free weatherization if the building sits within a designated pilot neighborhood. Staff said the bill's language targets neighborhoods rather than individual buildings and that the Public Service Commission would administer program eligibility and determine access to capital for utilities seeking financing.
Committee members also discussed labor and union-pay provisions and whether ratepayers ultimately bear costs; staff said PSC processes and project targeting would guide implementation. The committee moved the bill forward to third reading.
