OLYMPIA, Wash.-A new State Department of Commerce program aims to help Washingtonians with energy bill and weatherization support.
The new State Home Energy Assistance Program will use $35 million in Climate Commitment Act funding to support more people in Washington in paying their utility bills and switching to low- and no-carbon heating and cooling options, according to the Department of Commerce.
Currently about 500,000 people in Washington are eligible for the federal Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, however, SHEAP would expand eligibility to over 1.2 million residents.
“Commerce is making sure vulnerable and low-income households across Washington can access these cost-saving technologies and bill pay support,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong.
According to Commerce, SHEAP is open to residents making up to 80 percent of the area median income, which comes out to about $70,000 in Seattle and $55,000 in Spokane.
There are two parts to SHEAP, energy bill assistance and weatherization or efficiency improvements.
The two divisions within the Department of Commerce include $21 million in funding for bill assistance and $14 million for weatherization, including efficiency improvements, new equipment and electric heat pumps, according to Commerce.
SHEAP funding will be distributed by community agencies at the local level and will be distributed to utilities on the behalf of eligible customers.
Community agencies across Washington will work with customers on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility, need and the amount of assistance starting Oct. 1.
“This addresses equity issues to ensure people aren’t left behind as we move to a green energy model,” said LIHEAP Program Manager Brian Sarensen.
