N.Y. Public Service Law § 135-d: Scope of plan

§ 135-d. Scope of plan. 1. Each utility shall adopt and implement a

home conservation plan as approved by the commission, and shall offer

participation to its customers. The availability of the plan shall be

publicized by the utility to encourage customer participation.

2. The commission may provide that any such plan shall provide

participating customers with the opportunity to enter into a financing

contract and security agreement with the sponsoring utility for the

amount financed. If such an agreement is entered into, the commission

shall require the payment of interest by each participant on the amount

financed by such participant in accordance with the provisions of this

article.

3. Each plan shall provide for the installation and financing of one

or more types of energy conservation measures and provide for the

performance of energy audits.

4. Where any plan includes financing by a utility, any such plan shall

include the maximum rate of interest chargeable by the utility on any

amounts financed hereunder; allowable repayment periods; probable

sources of and methods by which the utility will raise funds to carry

out the plan; and such other information and matters as the commission

deems necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this

article.

5. The chairman, with the assistance of such public and private

entities as he shall select, shall prepare, administer and finance a

program to promote wide public awareness of the availability and

benefits of the home conservation plans, energy conservation measures

and energy audits authorized by this article. Such programs may include,

but not be limited to, promotion of the plans, measures and audits

through the media and through the utilities. Funds for financing any

such program shall be made available to the chairman from moneys

provided the department pursuant to the assessment provisions of section

eighteen-a of this chapter, provided however, that such funds shall not

exceed two million dollars in any state fiscal year and the

authorization for using assessment funds to finance any such program

shall expire June first, nineteen hundred ninety-six.

6. Each plan shall include a training program and experience

requirements for auditors so they are familiar with the energy

conservation criteria and energy conservation measures provided by this

article. In addition, each plan shall assure that utility employees who

regularly deal with the public can provide information about the scope

and benefits of the plans.

7. Each plan may include provision for the participation of

not-for-profit neighborhood preservation or development organizations in

order to promote energy audits and to explain methods of conserving

energy to the community.