(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Maintaining the general health, welfare, and prosperity of the people of this State requires that all citizens receive essential levels of heat and electric service regardless of their economic circumstances.
(2) Serving the State's most vulnerable citizens, its low-income elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with a high-energy burden, is a priority.
(3) Conserving energy benefits all citizens and the environment.
(4) Ensuring proper payment to public utilities and other entities providing energy services actually rendered is a responsibility of this State.
(5) Declining federal low-income energy assistance funding necessitates a State response to ensure the continuity and further development of energy assistance and related policies and programs in this State.
(6) Current energy assistance policies and programs have benefited North Carolina citizens and should be continued with the modifications provided in this Part.
(b) The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this State that weatherization, replacement of heating and cooling systems, and other energy-related assistance programs be utilized to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety. The State shall utilize all appropriate and available means to fund the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Families and the Heating/Air Repair and Replacement Program under G.S. 143B-344.46, and any other energy-related assistance program for low-income persons while, to the extent possible, identifying and utilizing sources of funding to achieve the objectives of this Part. (2006-206, s. 2; 2009-446, s. 2(a); 2013-360, s. 15.22(j).)
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Last modified: March 23, 2014