Weatherization Assistance Program 2017 Update: How the Continuing Resolution Affects Grant-Making Process

1. Weatherization Assistance Program Program Year 2017 Update WAP Team CallJanuary 2017

2. How the Continuing Resolution Affects DOE’s Grant-Making Process

3. DOE’s Objectives • Ensure Grantees have sufficient time to prepare PY17 State Plans. • Grantees… “shall submit an application… not later than 60 days after the date of notice…” 10 CFR 440.12 (a) • Determine Grant funding levels when only partial funding is available. • The Continuing Resolution (CR) extends through April 30, 2017. • Funding is set at FY 2016 levels but, funding is only incrementally available to DOE.

4. Difference between “Passed” and “CR” If FY 17 Budget had been funded: Under the Continuing Resolution: DOE issues WPN 17-1, ALRD and PY 17 Application Package (Dec 21). WPN 17-1 advises Grantees to use WPN 16-2 as the “planning numbers” for budget. Grantees prepare and file plans two months prior to start of Program Year. DOE approves Plans and provides incremental funding. Once FY 17 budget is passed and signed, DOE issues WPN 17-2. Grantees begin a budget modification process with final FY 2017 available funds. DOE approves modification and funds. • DOE issues WPN 17-1, ALRD and PY 17 Application Package. • WPN 17-2 would outline final budget numbers for each Grantee. • Grantees prepare and file plans two months prior to start of Program Year. • DOE approves Plans and provides funding.

5. Words to the Wise • Include language in State Plan and in Public Hearing clearly explaining how final allocations will adjust planning numbers to eliminate need for an additional public hearing once FY17 is final. • DOE’s aim is to minimize burden on Grantees. • Submit State Plan sections “early and often” to expedite review. • Craft Subgrantee agreements that mirror DOE’s language regarding incremental funding and the necessity to adjust based on FY17 final budget.

6. PAGE – Process for New Grant Numbers Requirement when a formula grant reaches the end of their normal 3-year lifecycle. Grantee enters their new program year application in PAGE under their ‘old’ grant number, and the Project Officer can use this process to change the grant number after it has been assigned through STRIPES. The grant number can be changed at any point after the Grantee has copied the information from their previous program year; but the grant number must be changed before the Grantee begins reporting for the new program year.

7. Questions • Contact your Project Officer.

8. WEATHERIZATION GRANTEE ASSIGNMENTS – JANUARY 2017 W A NH VT ME MT ND MN OR MA WI ID Northern Arapaho SD NY RI MI WY CT P A IA NE OH NJ NV UT IL DE CA IN CO WV MD V A KS DC MO K Y Navajo Nation NC TN OK AZ AR NM SC ITCA MS AL GA AK LA Askew TX Holloway Weston FL Muckey Hawaii Foote Northern Mariana Islands Peterson Puerto Rico Virgin IsIands Jiacoletti American Samoa Guam Glaize Green

9. Questions • Maine’s scheduled public hearing will not allow for submission of the state plan application in time to meet the 2/1 submission deadline, can we submit a draft or conditional state plan and then submit modifications at the close of the public hearing and comment period? • DOE answer: No, unfortunately. The DOE General Counsel (GC) will not consider an application without having the public hearing and comment period completed. There are other sections you can have complete before the public hearing and once the hearing and comment period is over, then you can submit the full application and we will try and expedite it through approval.

10. Questions • Should we budget for new field guides in PY2017? We know the SWS is changing for PY2018. • That is not a bad plan. DOE does not know the full schedule but it is always a good plan to allocate funds – it is not a high dollar expense.