COM/JLN/MEG/epg/tcg * Mailed 3/21/2001

Decision 01-03-028 March 15, 2001

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Rulemaking on the Commission's Proposed Policies and Programs Governing Energy Efficiency, Low Income Assistance Renewable Energy and Research, Development And Demonstration.

Rulemaking 98-07-037 (Filed July 23, 1998)

INTERIM OPINION: LOW-INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDIZATION PROJECT (PHASE 2) AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title	Page

INTERIM OPINION: LOW-INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDIZATION PROJECT (PHASE 2) AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS MANUAL 1

I. Summary 2

II. Background and Procedural History 2

A. LIEE Standardization Project 3

B. Standardized Reporting Requirements 6

III. LIEE Standardization Project-Phase 2 8

A. Customer Eligibility Based on Heating Fuel or Rate Schedule 9

B. Income Verification 12

C. Limits on Prior Participation in the LIEE Program 15

D. Fractional Qualification in Multifamily Complexes and
Mobile Homes 17

E. Minimum Necessary Weatherization and Other Eligibility Criteria 19

F. Limits on Minor Home Repairs and Furnace Repairs/Replacements 19

G. Spending Caps For Multi-Family Housing 21

H. Inspection Policies and Procedures 22

I. Ceiling Insulation Levels 25

J. Natural Gas Appliance Testing 30

K. Eligibility of Evaporative Coolers For Rental Units 34

L. Eligibility of Master-Metered Units 35

M. Clarifications to Weatherization Installation Manuals 39

IV. RRM Working Group Recommendations 39

A. Definition of Energy-Related Hardship 41

B. Modifications to LIEE Cost-Effectiveness Tests 45

C. Other Performance-Related Information 46

D. Interim Methodology For Estimating Eligible CARE Customers 48

E. LIEE Definitions and Additional Reporting Requirements 49

F. CARE Cost Classifications and Reporting Requirements 51

G. Other RRM Issues 52

Comments to Draft Decision 53

Findings of Fact 55

Conclusions of Law 62

ORDER 71

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continuation)
Title

Attachment 1 Acronyms

Attachment 2 Development of Recommendations: Phase 2 Standardization Project and Reporting Requirements Manual

Attachment 3 Summary of Phase 2 Standardization Recommendations

Attachment 4 Reporting Requirements Manual Working Group Recommendations

I. Summary¹

By today's decision we approve the recommendations contained in the Phase 2 Standardization Project Report and Phase 1 Reporting Requirements Manual (RRM) Report, with certain modifications. These recommendations apply to the low-income assistance programs implemented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCal), collectively referred to as "the utilities." Their purpose is to standardize the policies and procedures for implementing and reporting the results of low-income assistance programs, across utilities.