Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 25 years wherein the County provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are income-eligible to receive said services. The funding sources include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), and the Department of Energy (DOE), the Low Income Weatherization Program (ILIWP) and the Toilet Retrofit Program (TRP). On September 17, 2019, the department was informed of additional funding for the LIHEAP program via a settlement agreement between Barclays Bank PLC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The settlement was to resolve allegations that Barclays participated in a scheme to manpulate the western energy markets. The settlement is a one-time lump sum payment to California. The California Department of Community Services and Development Department, in turn, disbursed the moneh to LIHEAP recipients throughout the state. This board order is to accept the allocation for Contra Costa County.
The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) partners with the County Department of Conservation and Development to provide energy saving home improvements to low-income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s nineteen cities.
The energy savings measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.
This funding also includes the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) where residents of the County can qualify for a credit on their energy bills.
Both programs use income based eligibility. The income levels are based on the Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Poverty Guidelines. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergencies. Service is then based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden and families with at least one resident who is considered vulnerable population. Contract no yet approved as to form by County Counsel.
If not approved, County may not receive funding to operate LIHEAP.
The Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau energy program supports one Contra Costa County community outcome - Outcome #4: "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing." This outcome is supported by the provision of home energy assistance to keep households warm in winter and to increase household energy efficiency.