The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) has partnered with the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) for the past twenty years to provide energy saving home improvements to low income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the nineteen cities in the County through the Weatherization Program. This funding is provided by state and federal grant programs including, but not limited to, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Cap and Trade Auction Funds for the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
With these grants, the Weatherization Program may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs, LED night lights, Tier 2 advanced power strips, occupancy sensors, 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.
McHale's Environmental Insulation, Inc. will install insulation to low income households through the Weatherization Program. This service is required by the contract between the County and the State Department of Community Services and Development. The increase in the budget is needed to expend additional funding from the State to the County.
Under its grant funding contract, the Weatherization Program is required to meet minimum unit production goals (number of homes weatherized) by the end of its grant contract term, July 31, 2017. Failure to maintain the required production goals may result in the State reallocating our share of funding to other counties and could jeopardize our future funding. This contract will allow the Weatherization Program to have ready access to ceiling, wall and under-floor insulation to weatherize homes and meet production goals.
McHale's Environmental Insulation, Inc. is the vendor that was selected to provide the program with insulation installation services as needed. McHale's Environmental Insulation, Inc. was selected through a competitive bidding process, working closely with the Purchasing Division of the Public Works Department and following the County's established procurement procedures.
Failure to receive Board approval would prevent the installation of insulation needed to provide homes with the mandatory weatherization services.
Approval of this item will enable the Weatherization Program to purchase materials necessary to provide home energy efficiency improvements to low-income families, which reduces living expenses and improves comfort and quality of life for children residing in the households served. This supports outcomes #3 and #5 established in the children's report card: 3) Families are economically self-sufficient; and 5) Families are safe, stable and nurturing.