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ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE GRANT AWARD FROM UNITED ILLUMINATING AND SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT GAS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO CARRY OUT ASSOCIATED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.
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WHEREAS, deep energy efficiency improvements are shown to lower energy bills, improve the health of residents, and strengthen the resilience and increase the comfort of homes; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut has set a goal of weatherizing 80% of homes by 2030 and as of 2020 only 23% of New Haven households have participated in weatherization programs; and,
WHEREAS, low-income participation in energy efficiency improvement programs has declined in the last decade; and,
WHEREAS, residential buildings of one to four families in neighborhoods of need present the greatest opportunity for increased cost-saving, health, and resiliency benefits; and,
WHEREAS, more than half of New Haven households are energy cost-burdened, spending more than 6% of their income on energy bills, and the burden falls most severely on environmental justice neighborhoods like Newhallville, Fair Haven, and Dwight; and,
WHEREAS, the Inflation Reduction Act contains a variety of rebates and tax credits to help homeowners, property owners, and renters afford investments in energy efficiency improvements; and,
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes the need to increase community awareness of and access to available incentives and programs for improving energy efficiency; and,
WHEREAS, New England Smart Energy Group, LLC’s response was selected to complete energy-saving improvements for New Haven residents using American Rescue Plan funding on the basis of the depth and breadth of the organization’s experience partnering with municipalities and completing energy efficiency and electrification improvements; and,
WHEREAS, Operation Fuel’s utility and energy assistance has assisted thousands of Connecticut residents in affording their home utility costs; and,
WHEREAS, Community Action Agency of New Haven’s administration of the Connecticut Energy Assistance (CEAP) program has assisted thousands of Connecticut residents in affording their home heating and housing costs; and,
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven has, in partnership with Community Action Agency of New Haven, applied for funding from United Illuminating; and upon receipt of such grant, the City will act as the fiduciary of funds and accept said grant in its entirety; and,
WHEREAS, the United Illuminating has issued a request for proposals, entitled the Community Partnership Initiative, intended to drive participation in energy efficiency improvement programs, with key objectives including reaching income-eligible residents, renters, and residents with limited English language proficiency; and
WHEREAS, the Community Partnership Initiative grant program requires municipalities to partner with local nonprofits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Mayor, on behalf of the City is authorized to apply for and accept any funds associated with the grant mentioned herein from United Illuminating; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Mayor is authorized to execute said application for funding for an amount up to $50,000 and to execute any revisions, amendments or modifications to said contract and to sign any associated agreements with contractors and other documents, any of which may have a term of longer than one year, that the Mayor deems desirable or necessary, including any subsequent amendments to agreements, in order to accept grant funding and carry out the associated grant program activities.