(a)Not later than September 1, 2021, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, using available federal or other funds, establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may receive funds from the federal government, corporations, associations or individuals to fund the grant program. Such program shall award grants to fund the installation of energy efficient upgrades to (1) affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, including, but not limited to, property of a housing authority, as defined in section 8-39, or (2) other dwelling units owned by a landlord, as defined in section 47a-1, at the discretion of the commissioner. Such upgrades shall include energy efficiency and weatherization measures and may i
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(a) Not later than September 1, 2021, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, using available federal or other funds, establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may receive funds from the federal government, corporations, associations or individuals to fund the grant program. Such program shall award grants to fund the installation of energy efficient upgrades to (1) affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a, including, but not limited to, property of a housing authority, as defined in section 8-39, or (2) other dwelling units owned by a landlord, as defined in section 47a-1, at the discretion of the commissioner. Such upgrades shall include energy efficiency and weatherization measures and may include, but need not be limited to, the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, energy storage systems located on the customer's premises, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, heat pumps and balanced ventilation, and the mitigation of health and safety hazards including, but not limited to, gas leaks, mold, vermiculite and asbestos, lead and radon, to the extent such hazards impede the installation of energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization measures. (b) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall develop standards for the energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The department may consult with other state agencies, quasi-public agencies and housing authorities, and shall consider the energy performance standards developed pursuant to section 16a-38 , in establishing the standards for the grant program. The department may coordinate with other state agencies, quasi-public agencies and housing authorities to implement the grant program in conjunction with other existing state programs that have the purpose of installing or otherwise assisting state residents to obtain the upgrades set forth in subsection (a) of this section. The department may retain consultants with expertise in energy efficiency retrofit programs or distributed energy programs, or both, for assistance with its development or administration of the grant program. (c) A grant applicant shall submit an application to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on forms prescribed by the commissioner, which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) A description of the proposed project; (2) an explanation of the expected benefits of the project in relation to the purposes of this section; (3) information concerning the financial and technical capacity of the applicant to undertake the proposed project; (4) a project budget; and (5) any other information deemed necessary by the commissioner. The commissioner shall prioritize grants to applicants who (A) use the services of local contractors who pay the prevailing wage and who make good faith efforts to hire, or cause to be hired, available and qualified minority business enterprises, as defined in section 4a-60g , and (B) upgrade affordable housing or dwelling units for households that include an individual who qualifies for utility financial hardship programs or who receives means-tested assistance administered by the state or federal government. (d) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a , to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy and technology and housing. Such report shall include the standards developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, an analysis of the scope of residences able to be served by the grant program and proposed goals for the annual percentage of affordable housing units that can be served by the program.