1. A. The department shall establish the Home Energy Assistance Program for the following purposes:

   1. 1. Administer available funds from the Home Energy Assistance Fund;
   2. 2. Coordinate energy assistance efforts among agencies of the Commonwealth and nonstate organizations electing to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program;
   3. 3. Conduct research regarding available private and governmental resources for low-income Virginians in need of energy assistance; and
   4. 4. Collect data and report on the amounts of energy assistance provided through the department.

2. B. The Home Energy Assistance Program shall:

   1. 1. Disburse funds from the Home Energy Assistance Fund through the existing Virginia Energy Assistance Program.
   2. 2. Disburse funds from the Home Energy Assistance Fund by means other than the Virginia Energy Assistance Program at the discretion of the commissioner of the department.
   3. 3. Lead and facilitate meetings with other agencies of the Commonwealth and nonstate organizations participating in the Home Energy Assistance Program.
   4. 4. Conduct the necessary research to report to the Governor and General Assembly as required by § 63.2-805 of the Code of Virginia on the effectiveness of low-income energy assistance programs in meeting the needs of low-income Virginians.
3. C. Upon mutually agreed terms, the department may administer the low-income energy assistance programs of public agencies, private utility service providers, and charitable and community groups.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-805 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 9, eff. February 6, 2008.