HF 474 (LSB 2495YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 474

BY  KELLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for a study to determine effective strategies for encouraging low-income individuals to engage in energy efficiency efforts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  LOW-INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS —— STUDY.
   1.  The utilities board of the utilities division of the department of commerce, in consultation with the division of community action agencies, shall conduct a study to determine effective strategies or incentives to encourage low-income individuals to engage in energy efficiency efforts or implement energy efficiency projects and improvements. Such strategies or incentives may take the form of expanding current energy efficiency plans and programs developed by public utilities and targeted toward qualified low-income individuals pursuant to section 476.6, subsection 13; low-income energy assistance and programs administered through the division pursuant to chapter 216A; or a new program or financial incentive designed to facilitate energy efficiency efforts by or on behalf of low-income individuals.
   2.  The board shall submit a report containing its recommendations to the members of the general assembly by January 1, 2016.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the Iowa utilities board, in consultation with the division of community action agencies, to conduct a study to determine effective strategies or incentives to encourage low-income individuals to engage in energy efficiency efforts or implement energy efficiency projects and improvements. The bill provides that the strategies or incentives developed may take the form of expanding current energy efficiency plans and programs developed by public utilities and targeted toward qualified low-income individuals pursuant to Code section 476.6, subsection 13; low-income energy assistance and programs administered through the division pursuant to Code chapter 216A; or a new program or financial incentive designed to facilitate energy efficiency efforts by or on behalf of low-income individuals. The bill requires the board to submit a report containing its recommendations to the members of the general assembly by January 1, 2016.