COM/JLN/MEG/epg DRAFT Item 2

1/18/2001

Decision DRAFT DECISION OF COMMISSIONER NEEPER
(Mailed 12/15/2000)

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Rulemaking on the Commission's Proposed Policies 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

(See Attachment 1 for Appearances.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

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

I. Summary 3

II. Background and Procedural History 3

A. LIEE Standardization Project 5

B. Standardized Reporting Requirements 7

III. LIEE Standardization Project-Phase 2 9

A. Customer Eligibility Based on Heating Fuel or Rate Schedule 10

B. Income Verification 13

C. Limits on Prior Participation in the LIEE Program 17

D. Fractional Qualification in Multifamily Complexes and
Mobile Homes 19

E. Minimum Necessary Weatherization and Other Eligibility Criteria 21

F. Limits on Minor Home Repairs and Furnace Repairs/Replacements 21

G. Spending Caps For Multi-Family Housing 23

H. Inspection Policies and Procedures 24

I. Ceiling Insulation Levels 27

J. Natural Gas Appliance Testing 32

K. Eligibility of Evaporative Coolers For Rental Units 37

L. Eligibility of Master-Metered Units 38

IV. Clarifications to Weatherization Installation Manuals 42

A. RRM Working Group Recommendations 42

B. Definition of Energy-Related Hardship 44

C. Modifications to LIEE Cost-Effectiveness Tests 48

D. Other Performance-Related Information 50

E. Interim Methodology For Estimating Eligible CARE Customers 51

F. LIEE Definitions and Additional Reporting Requirements 53

G. CARE Cost Classifications and Reporting Requirements 55

H. Other RRM Issues 55

Comments to Draft Decision 57

Findings of Fact 57

Conclusions of Law 65

ORDER 74

Attachment 1 List of Appearances

Attachment 2 Acronyms

Attachment 3 Development of Recommendations: Phase 2 Standardization Project and Reporting Requirements Manual

Attachment 4 Summary of Phase 2 Standardization Recommendations

Attachment 5 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.