Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons, 3847-3856 [2010-1300]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3847-3856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1300]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 440

[Docket No. EEWAP0515]
RIN 1904-AB97


Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending the 
eligibility provisions applicable to multi-unit buildings under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons. As a result 
of today's final rule, if a multi-unit building is under an assisted or 
public housing program and is identified by the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and included on a list published 
by DOE, that building will meet certain income eligibility 
requirements, and will also satisfy one or both of the procedural 
requirements to protect against rent increases and undue or excessive 
enhancement of the weatherized building, as indicated by the list, 
under the Weatherization Assistance Program without the need for 
further evaluation or verification. The preamble of today's final rule 
also provides guidance to States with respect to addressing the 
requirement that the benefits of weatherization assistance in 
connection with such rental units,

[[Page 3848]]

including units where the tenants pay for their energy through their 
rent, will accrue primarily to the low-income tenants residing in such 
units. If a multi-unit building includes units that participate in the 
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, identified by HUD, or 
includes units that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Rural Housing Service's Multifamily Housing Programs, and is 
included on a list published by DOE, that building will meet the income 
eligibility requirements of the Weatherization Assistance Program 
without the need for further evaluation or verification. Today's final 
rule will reduce the procedural burdens on evaluating applications from 
buildings that are part of HUD assisted and public housing programs, 
the Federal LIHTC programs, and the USDA Rural Development program.

DATES: This final rule is effective February 24, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Claire Broido Johnson, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, EE-2K, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, (202) 586-1510, e-mail: 
Claire.Johnson@ee.doe.gov, or Chris Calamita, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Forrestal Building, GC-72, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507, e-mail: 
Christopher.Calamita@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction
II. Proposed Regulation
III. Final Rule
    A. Eligibility Requirements Met by Identified Housing
    1. Income Requirement
    a. Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC Programs
    b. USDA Rural Development Program
    2. Protection From Rent Increases
    3. No Undue or Excessive Enhancement to the Value of the 
Dwelling Units
    B. Other Eligibility Requirements
    1. Accrual of Benefits
    2. Permission of Owner or Owner's Agent
    3. Owner Financial Participation
    C. Other Comments Received
    1. Allowable Expenditures
    2. Prioritization/Promotion of Multi-Family Projects
IV. Regulatory Analysis
V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Introduction

    Sections 411-418 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act 
(Act) established the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income 
Persons (Weatherization Assistance Program). (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.) 
The Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-
income persons, families, and households by increasing the energy 
efficiency of their homes, while promoting their health and safety. DOE 
works in partnership with State- and local-level agencies to implement 
the Weatherization Assistance Program. DOE's Project Management Center 
awards grants to State-level agencies, which then contract with 
subgrantees (e.g., local agencies). The subgrantees then provide 
weatherization services to eligible low-income families.
    In establishing the Weatherization Assistance Program, Congress 
found that ``a fast, cost-effective, and environmentally sound way to 
prevent future energy shortages in the United States while reducing the 
Nation's dependence on imported energy supplies is to encourage and 
facilitate, through major programs, the implementation of energy 
conservation and renewable-resource energy measures with respect to 
dwelling units.'' (42 U.S.C. 6861(a)(1)) Congress also recognized that 
many dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons are energy 
inefficient and that low-income persons can least afford to make the 
modifications necessary to improve the energy efficiency of such 
dwellings. (42 U.S.C. 6861(a)(2)) Additionally, Congress directed that 
States, through Community Action Agencies and units of general purpose 
local government, should be encouraged, with Federal financial and 
technical assistance, to develop and support coordinated weatherization 
programs designed to alleviate the adverse effects of energy costs on 
low-income persons, to supplement other Federal programs serving such 
low-income persons, and to increase energy efficiency. (42 U.S.C. 
6861(a)(4))
    Congress, therefore, stated that the purpose of the Weatherization 
Assistance Program is to develop and implement an assistance program to 
increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-
income persons, reduce their total residential energy expenditures, and 
improve their health and safety,\1\ especially low-income persons who 
are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, the handicapped, and 
children. (42 U.S.C. 6861(b))
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    \1\ Weatherization work may include the abatement of hazards 
such as lead, which may be required prior to the installation of 
weatherization materials. See, 10 CFR 440.16(h).
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    The Weatherization Assistance Program statute recognizes that 
single-family dwelling units are potentially high-energy-consuming 
dwelling units, and grantees should consider appropriate prioritization 
for such units or other high-energy-consuming dwelling units. (42 
U.S.C. 6864(b)(2)) The statute also recognizes that in some instances, 
weatherization efforts under the program may be appropriate for 
buildings in which there are multiple rental units. (42 U.S.C. 
6863(b)(5))
    Congress recognized that additional considerations are necessary 
when evaluating the eligibility of multi-unit buildings, as opposed to 
single-family dwellings. In any case in which a person requesting 
weatherization assistance from a subgrantee for a dwelling that 
consists of a rental unit or rental units, the State, in implementing 
its weatherization program, must ensure that--
     The benefits of weatherization assistance in connection 
with such rental units, including units where the tenants pay for their 
energy through their rent, will accrue primarily to the low-income 
tenants residing in such units;
     For a reasonable period of time after weatherization work 
has been completed on a dwelling containing a unit occupied by an 
eligible household, the tenants in that unit (including households 
paying for their energy through their rent) will not be subjected to 
rent increases unless those increases are demonstrably related to 
matters other than the weatherization work performed;
     The enforcement of the rent increase provision is provided 
through procedures established by the State by which tenants may file 
complaints and owners, in response to such complaints, shall 
demonstrate that the rent increase concerned is related to matters 
other than the weatherization work performed; and
     No undue or excessive enhancement will occur to the value 
of such dwelling units.(42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(5))
    DOE provided additional direction regarding the eligibility of 
multi-unit buildings in the Weatherization Assistance Program 
regulations. Under the DOE regulations a subgrantee may weatherize a 
building containing rental dwelling units using financial assistance 
for dwelling units eligible for weatherization assistance, where:
     The subgrantee has obtained the written permission of the 
owner or his agent;
     Not less than 66 percent (50 percent for duplexes and 
four-unit buildings, and certain eligible types of large multi-

[[Page 3849]]

family buildings) of the dwelling units in the building:
    [cir] Are eligible dwelling units, or
    [cir] Will become eligible dwelling units within 180 days under a 
Federal, State, or local government program for rehabilitating the 
building or making similar improvements to the building; and
     The grantee has established procedures for dwellings which 
consist of a rental unit or rental units to ensure that:
    [cir] The benefits of weatherization assistance in connection with 
such rental units, including units where the tenants pay for their 
energy through their rent, will accrue primarily to the low-income 
tenants residing in such units;
    [cir] For a reasonable period of time after weatherization work has 
been completed on a dwelling containing a unit occupied by an eligible 
household, the tenants in that unit (including households paying for 
their energy through their rent) will not be subjected to rent 
increases unless those increases are demonstrably related to matters 
other than the weatherization work performed;
    [cir] The enforcement of the rent increase provision is provided 
through procedures established by the State by which tenants may file 
complaints, and owners, in response to such complaints, shall 
demonstrate that the rent increase concerned is related to matters 
other than the weatherization work performed; and
    [cir] No undue or excessive enhancement shall occur to the value of 
the dwelling units.

10 CFR 440.22(b). An eligible dwelling unit is one that is occupied by 
a family unit (1) whose income is at or below 200 percent of the 
poverty level, (2) which contains a member who has received cash 
assistance payments under certain Social Security programs, or 
applicable State or local laws at any time during the 12-month period 
preceding the determination of eligibility under the Weatherization 
Assistance Program, or (3) if the State elects, is eligible for 
assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act, provided 
that such basis is at least 200 percent of the poverty level. 10 CFR 
440.22(a); See also, 42 U.S.C. 6862(7).
    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5) 
significantly increased the focus of weatherization activities by 
providing $5 billion in funding for the WAP program. This unprecedented 
level of funding supports the Administration's stated goal of 
weatherizing 30,000 homes a month. The increased weatherization effort 
will reduce the total residential energy expenditures, and improve 
their health and safety, of low-income persons on a much broader scale 
than previously seen, as well as additional benefits such as 
contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the 
increased efficiency of the nation's building stock.

II. Proposed Regulation

    DOE recognizes that determining the eligibility of multi-unit 
buildings may present difficulties to subgrantees in evaluating the 
income eligibility of tenants meeting the 200 percent of poverty 
requirement, and that this difficulty can be overcome where other 
Federal agencies already have procedures in place for determining such 
income eligibility. On May 21, 2009, DOE published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NOPR) to address verification of the eligibility 
requirements under the weatherization program for multi-family 
buildings participating in other Federal programs.\2\ 74 FR 23804. 
Following the publication of the NOPR, DOE issued a notice announcing a 
public meeting that was held on June 18, 2009, and that extended the 
comment period to July 6, 2009. 74 FR 27945.
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    \2\ The proposal did not address the requirements applicable to 
permissible expenditures under WAP or the required weatherization 
materials. Those requirements, along with the requirements in 10 CFR 
Part 440 not addressed in today's final rule remain are not amended.
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    In the NOPR, DOE proposed that if a multi-unit building is under an 
assisted or public housing program and is identified by HUD, and 
included on a list published by DOE, that building would meet certain 
income eligibility requirements, and the procedural requirements to 
protect against rent increases and undue enhancement of the weatherized 
building would be satisfied, under the Weatherization Assistance 
Program without the need for further evaluation or verification. 
Additionally, DOE proposed that if a multi-unit building includes units 
that participate in the LIHTC Program, identified by HUD, and included 
on a list published by DOE, that building would meet the income 
eligibility requirements of the Weatherization Assistance Program 
without the need for further evaluation or verification. DOE requested 
comment on how States and subgrantees may ensure compliance with the 
requirement that benefits of weatherization accrue primarily to low-
income tenants that reside in such buildings. 74 FR at 23807.
    DOE stated that it believed that the proposed rule would reduce the 
procedural burdens on evaluating applications from buildings that are 
part of HUD-assisted and public housing programs, and the Federal LIHTC 
programs. 74 FR at 23807. The Act requires that DOE promulgate 
regulations that, in part, provide guidance to assist the States in 
their efforts to ensure that appropriate procedures are established to 
satisfy the procedural burdens. (42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(2))

III. Final Rule

    In today's final rule, DOE is adopting the revisions to the 
Weatherization Assistance Program as proposed, with two differences. 
First, DOE is including buildings that participate in the USDA Rural 
Development program and are identified by USDA, on the list of 
buildings that meet the income requirements of the Weatherization 
Assistance Program without the need for additional verification.
    Second, an additional list will be provided in order to address the 
current State practice for complying with the requirement to protect 
against rent increases. Buildings that have three or more years 
remaining under the applicable arrangement with HUD will be included, 
as appropriate, on a list that demonstrates compliance with the income 
requirements and compliance with the procedural requirements under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program to protect against rent increases and 
undue enhancement of the weatherized building. Buildings that have less 
than three years remaining under the applicable arrangement with HUD 
will be included on a separate list, as appropriate, to demonstrate 
compliance with the income requirements and compliance with the 
procedural requirement to protect against undue enhancement.
    Today's final rule will reduce the review and verification that a 
subgrantee must undertake when evaluating the eligibility of the 
identified buildings. The purpose of today's final rule is to reduce 
the burden on States and subgrantees when evaluating applicability 
requirements for which HUD or USDA has already collected and verified 
the necessary data.

[[Page 3850]]

A. Eligibility Requirements Met by Identified Housing

1. Income Requirement
a. Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC Programs
    As stated previously under the DOE regulations, a subgrantee can 
only weatherize a building containing rental dwelling units using 
financial assistance for dwelling units eligible for weatherization 
assistance, where not less than 66 percent (50 percent for duplexes and 
four-unit buildings, and certain eligible types of large multi-family 
buildings) of the dwelling units in the building meet the income 
eligibility levels. 10 CFR 440.22(b)(2).
    HUD's Qualified Assisted Housing \3\ programs generally serve the 
population for which the Weatherization Assistance Program was 
established to serve. This assisted and public housing portfolio 
includes properties that are privately owned, but receive some form of 
HUD assistance subject to affordability and income requirements. Income 
targets for HUD programs are set in relationship to a percentage of 
area median income--generally, 30 to 80 percent of area median income. 
A review of data from HUD programs indicates that a large majority of 
residents in HUD assisted and public housing would meet the income 
eligibility requirements of the Weatherization Assistance Program. HUD 
data show that nationally close to 100 percent of residents in these 
properties meet the 200 percent income requirement, far exceeding the 
66 percent threshold required under DOE's regulation. 10 CFR 
440.22(b)(2).
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    \3\ For the purposes of this rule, ``Qualified Assisted 
Housing'' includes public housing projects, and assisted housing 
projects that receive project-based Section 8 assistance, under the 
U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.), 
Supportive Housing for the Elderly projects receiving HUD assistance 
under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 17012), or 
Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities under section 811 
of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act, as amended 
(42 U.S.C. 8013). For the purpose of this rulemaking ``Qualified 
Assisted Housing'' does not include projects also benefiting from 
assistance under Section 221(d)(3) and (d)(5), and 236 of the 
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715l(d)(3) and (d)(5), and 12 
U.S.C. 1715z-1, respectively), except such Sections 221(d)(3) and 
236 projects with Section 8 assistance on not less than 66 percent 
of the multi-family units are included. DOE notes that while these 
excluded projects will not be included in the published list of 
properties under today's final rule, these projects may qualify 
under the Weatherization Assistance Program so long as the projects 
meet all of the necessary requirements, including the verified 
tenant income levels.
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    Moreover, the income verification process applicable to the HUD 
programs is rigorous. Under these HUD programs, HUD assisted housing 
owners or public housing authorities must determine each participating 
family's income before the family is permitted to move into the 
assisted housing, and at least annually thereafter. To ease the 
existing burden of manual verification and reduce the potential for 
human error, HUD has developed a sophisticated system of third-party 
income verifications, originally designated as the Upfront Income 
Verification (UIV) system, now known as the Enterprise Income 
Verification (EIV) system. The EIV system is now used voluntarily by 
HUD housing providers, but will convert to a mandatory system in 
January 2010. The EIV system, a central repository and source for 
income and benefit data, is accessible in a secure manner over the 
internet, for use by public housing authorities and owners or their 
agents to improve the accuracy of rent and income determinations. HUD 
monitors compliance with tenant eligibility requirements on an annual 
basis through management and occupancy reviews in addition to the 
submission of tenant data to HUD payment systems. Tenant eligibility 
certifications are required in order for subsidy payments to be 
authorized. A building owner must verify each family's income, assets, 
expenses, and deductions three times: (1) Prior to move-in, (2) as part 
of the annual recertification process, and (3) as a result of changes 
in income allowances, or family characteristics reported between annual 
re-certifications.
    Property owners participating in the LIHTC Program are directed to 
utilize the income verification process set forth Internal Revenue Code 
Section 42, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Handbook 8823 (Chapter 
5), and incorrect eligibility determinations may adversely affect the 
utilization of the tax credits.
    After the initial determination of eligibility, owners, or their 
agents, are required to recertify each low-income household at least 
annually, within 120 days of the anniversary date of the occupancy. The 
allocating agency, typically a state housing finance agency, is 
responsible for monitoring compliance with the provisions during the 
affordability period and must report the results of monitoring to the 
IRS. The allocating agency is required to perform an on-site inspection 
and a review of 20 percent of tenant files at least every three years.
    The income of the families occupying units in buildings under the 
Qualified Assisted Housing and LITHC Programs is subject to HUD's 
rigorous verification processes. Given the nature of the data collected 
by HUD and the income verification procedures employed under these 
housing programs, DOE has determined that buildings identified by HUD 
as having not less than 66 percent (50 percent for duplexes and four-
unit buildings) of dwelling units occupied by family units whose income 
is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level would meet the minimum 
income eligibility requirements for multi-unit buildings under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program.
    In the NOPR, DOE requested comments on its proposal that income 
data collected by HUD under the Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC 
programs would be sufficient for the purpose of demonstrating the 
income requirements of multi-unit buildings under the Weatherization 
Assistance Program. The responses DOE received supported the proposal 
and indicated that it would reduce burdens on property owners, tenants, 
grantees, and subgrantees thereby allowing more of the weatherization 
funds to be used for energy improvements. (See LISC, p. 2)
    Some of the commenters indicated that a simpler and more effective 
approach would be to raise the income eligibility ceiling for the 
program, specifically by making eligible for the Weatherization 
Assistance Program any household that meets the National Housing Act 
definition of ``low-income.'' DOE did not propose to amend the 
definition of ``low-income'' in the NOPR and such an amendment as 
suggested by commenters would be outside the scope of notice for this 
rulemaking.
    DOE also received comments regarding the exclusion of Section 
221(d)(3) and (d)(5) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR), and Section 236 
programs from eligibility. The comments expressed that these programs 
carry income restrictions and also typically use project-based Section 
8 subsidies. The comments additionally indicated that residents using 
the Section 8 subsidies have the same income reporting requirements as 
other Section 8 subsidy holders. Commenters remarked that while not all 
Section 221(d)(3) BMIR and Section 236 properties have Section 8 
housing, to the extent that they do, these properties should meet the 
definition of ``qualified assisted housing.'' Some of the commenters 
suggested that the definition of ``qualified assisted housing'' be 
revised to clarify that Section 221(d)(3) BMIR and Section 236 
buildings are only excluded from consideration as qualified assisted 
housing if fewer than 66 percent of the units have project-based 
Section 8 assistance. This issue was also raised at the public meeting 
held on June 18,

[[Page 3851]]

2009. At that meeting, HUD stated that every family that receives 
housing assistance must certify their income before they move in and 
must recertify every year thereafter. Further, owners are required to 
monitor, certify, and maintain records of compliance with tenant 
eligibility. HUD also stated that nearly all of the residents within 
its programs being considered eligible meet the 200 percent above 
poverty line requirement stated in the public law, including the 
Section 221(d)(3) and Section 236 properties having Section 8 housing 
assistance under discussion.
    DOE notes that Section 221(d)(3) and Section 236 may qualify under 
the Weatherization Assistance Program so long as the projects meet all 
of the necessary requirements, including the verified tenant income 
levels. To the extent that these properties have project-based 
assistance under the Section 8 program on not less than 66 percent of 
the multi-family units (50 percent for duplexes and four-unit 
buildings), and HUD includes such buildings in the list of properties 
meeting the income requirements of the Weatherization Assistance 
Program, Section 8 properties will be included in today's final rule.
    After consideration of the comments, DOE concludes in today's final 
rule that the income data collected by HUD would be sufficient for the 
purpose of demonstrating the income requirements of multi-unit 
buildings under the Weatherization Assistance Program.
b. USDA Rural Development Program
    DOE also received a number of comments indicating that buildings 
that participate in the USDA Rural Housing Service's Multifamily 
Housing Programs undergo equally rigorous income verifications. The 
income verification process for the Rural Housing Service's Multifamily 
Housing Programs is very similar to that of HUD. The USDA Rural Housing 
Service's Multifamily Housing Programs utilize HUD's income, asset and 
deduction requirements for eligibility to reside in Rural Housing 
Service multifamily properties and to receive the benefits of Rural 
Development's Rental Assistance subsidy programs. Property owners and 
their management agents are responsible for determining a family's 
income when they apply for housing. USDA performs an annual audit of a 
statistical sample of tenant files to ensure that the rent and subsidy 
are calculated properly, with adequate supporting documentation. In 
addition, USDA field staff performs periodic supervisory visit 
inspections where tenant files are selected at random and audited for 
confirmation of documentation. In the 26 states that permit wage 
matching, USDA has initiated memoranda of understanding with these 
individual departments of labor to receive confirmation information on 
wages reported. USDA field staff provides such confirmation to property 
managers, who check the data against that reported by tenants. USDA 
multifamily regulations require that tenants recertify their income 
annually, and whenever they have a monthly income change of $100 or 
more.
    Unlike HUD, USDA maintains data on participation in the Rural 
Housing Service's Multifamily Housing Programs at a project level, as 
opposed to a building level. A single project may be comprised of more 
than one building. As a result of maintaining income data on a project 
level without knowing the breakdown of the income of tenants on a per 
building basis, a project identified by USDA as having 66 percent of 
the dwelling units occupied by low-income tenants does not ensure that 
each building in that project meets the 66 percent threshold. For 
example, if a project consisted of three buildings with ten units each, 
and two of the three buildings were occupied solely by low-income 
tenants, the project would have 66 percent of the dwelling units 
occupied by low-income tenants. However, the third building could have 
no low-income tenants.
    The purpose of the proposed rule was to minimize duplicative 
verification requirements among Federal agencies. While the proposed 
rule considered coordinating WAP requirements with only HUD data, 
income data collected and verified by USDA provide a similar 
opportunity to minimize duplicative income verification requirements. 
DOE has determined that buildings identified by USDA as having 100 
percent of dwelling units occupied by family units whose income is at 
or below 200 percent of the poverty level would meet the minimum income 
eligibility requirements for multi-unit buildings under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program. In order to ensure that the 
buildings identified by USDA meet the 66 percent requirement at the 
building level, the list of buildings identified by USDA will include 
only those projects for which 100 percent of the units are occupied by 
families that meet the Weatherization Assistance Program income 
requirement.
2. Protection From Rent Increases
    Under the Weatherization Assistance Program, a grantee must 
establish procedures that ensure that for a reasonable period of time 
after weatherization work has been completed on a dwelling containing a 
unit occupied by a low-income tenant, the tenant in that unit will not 
be subjected to rent increases unless those increases are demonstrated 
to be related to matters other than the weatherization work performed. 
10 CFR 440.22(b)(3)(ii). The enforcement of this provision is provided 
through procedures established by the State by which tenants may file 
complaints, and owners in response to such complaints must demonstrate 
that the rent increase concerned is related to matters other than 
weatherization. 10 CFR 440.22(b)(3)(iii). Under the Qualified Assisted 
Housing programs, tenant rents are capped at 30 percent of their 
income, so tenants would not be subject to rent increases as a result 
of the weatherization.
    DOE has proposed that the restrictions on rent for units in 
buildings participating in the Qualified Assisted Housing Programs 
would provide the assurance required under the Weatherization 
Assistance Program that for a reasonable period of time after 
weatherization work is completed on a dwelling occupied by a low-income 
family unit, rent will not increase. In the proposed rule, DOE 
requested comments on this issue. DOE also requested comments on its 
understanding that the LIHTC Program does not offer sufficiently 
uniform protections regarding rent increases so as to permit DOE to 
determine that buildings under the LIHTC Program would meet the rent 
control requirement of the Weatherization Assistance Program.
    In response, DOE received comments supportive of a DOE 
determination that the Qualified Assisted Housing Program and LIHTC 
Program sufficiently protect low-income tenants from rent increases to 
satisfy the rent control requirement. One of the comments noted that 
currently some States require rent control provisions to remain in 
place for three years as a condition of weatherizing multi-family 
housing. If a HUD building were to have its rent structure expire 
within three years, the proposed categorical assurance would result in 
a less rigorous rent restriction on the HUD building than States apply 
to other multi-family buildings.
    In today's final rule, DOE has determined, based on the nature of 
the conditions for property owners under the Qualified Assisted Housing 
Programs, that generally, the Qualified Assisted Housing Program 
sufficiently protects low-income tenants from rent increases so as to 
satisfy the requirement that grantees under the Weatherization 
Assistance Program

[[Page 3852]]

establish procedures to protect low-income tenants against rent 
increases resulting from weatherization. However, DOE recognizes that 
some States may currently require a three-year commitment from property 
owners to protect against rent increases resulting from the 
weatherization work.
    To address the issue of current practice in some States, DOE will 
publish segregated information on the list of eligible multi-unit 
buildings identified by HUD in order to indicate which buildings have a 
minimum of three years remaining on their commitment with HUD. The 
properties included on the list of buildings that have less than three 
years remaining on their commitment with HUD will satisfy the income 
requirements and the requirement that limits undue enhancement. The 
properties included on the list that includes buildings with three or 
more years remaining on their commitment with HUD will satisfy the 
income eligibility requirements. They will also satisfy both of the 
procedural requirements to protect against rent increases and undue or 
excessive enhancement of the weatherized building, without the need for 
further evaluation or verification.
    It is important to note that today's rule does not require a 
minimum of three years remaining on a building's commitment with HUD in 
order to comply with the rent control requirement under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program. A State may determine that a 
different timeframe is acceptable. However, in recognizing that some 
States currently require a three-year commitment from property owners 
to demonstrate compliance with the rent control provisions, the list of 
properties to be published by DOE will distinguish those for which 
there is at least three years remaining on the commitment to the 
Qualified Assisted Housing programs. For those properties that have 
less than three years remaining, the list will indicate the amount of 
time remaining under the commitment with HUD to allow States to 
determine whether that period is sufficient to satisfy the rent control 
requirement established by the State.
    With regard to the LIHTC program, a comment indicated that although 
the LIHTC program provides for rent control, it does not have the same 
uniform restrictions as those associated with the Qualified Assisted 
Housing programs. The commenter stated that the fact that the LIHTC 
program does not have the same restrictions on rent control could be 
resolved with an agreement between the owner and the weatherization 
subgrantee that limits rent increases according to a standard 
acceptable to DOE or the subgrantee. With respect to the issue of rent 
control in the LIHTC Program, DOE received comments indicating that for 
LIHTC properties, there is no direct cost-based rent setting under the 
LIHTC program and that the total tenant housing cost is capped by a 
formula based on the area median income. Commenters noted that while in 
practice LIHTC property rents are limited by the lower of the cap or 
market rents and therefore unlikely to increase as a result of 
weatherization costs, a rent controlling covenant running with the unit 
receiving weatherization funds could be an option. Another comment on 
the issue of rent control in the LIHTC program urged DOE to allow state 
agencies administering the Weatherization Assistance Program the 
flexibility to determine the appropriate rent control procedures.
    DOE recognizes that properties under the LIHTC program may have 
various rent control conditions, however, the extent and nature of 
those conditions may not be uniform throughout the program. Under 
today's final rule, properties participating in the LIHTC program will 
not be included in the list of properties that meet the rent control 
provisions of the Weatherization Assistance Program without a need for 
additional conditions on the property owner. For the properties under 
the LIHTC program, the State, or weatherization grantee, maintains 
flexibility in establishing the necessary rent control conditions. 
After considering the comments, DOE maintains its preliminary 
understanding that the LIHTC Program does not provide sufficiently 
uniform protections against rent increases so that DOE could determine 
that buildings under the LIHTC Program would meet the rent control 
requirement of the Weatherization Assistance Program.
3. No Undue or Excessive Enhancement to the Value of the Dwelling Units
    Weatherization of a building containing rental units requires that 
the applicable grantee ensure that no undue or excessive enhancement 
occur to the value of the dwelling units. 10 CFR 440.22(b)(3)(iv). The 
expenditures allowed under the Weatherization Assistance Program help 
focus enhancements on those that provide weatherization benefits. For 
example, repairs to a dwelling unit must be necessary to make the 
installation of weatherization materials effective. 10 CFR 
440.18(d)(9). Moreover, for buildings that are in the Qualified 
Assisted Housing Programs, HUD controls the capital improvements that 
may be made. In the NOPR, DOE requested comments on whether HUD control 
of improvements to buildings under the Qualified Assisted Housing 
programs would ensure that no undue or excessive enhancement would 
occur as a result of weatherization. DOE also requested comment on 
whether similar and sufficient controls were present under the LIHTC 
Program to allow DOE to make a similar finding for the LIHTC Program.
    Commenters expressed their support for a DOE determination that 
controls over buildings in the Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC 
would ensure that no undue or excessive enhancement would occur as a 
result of weatherization. One commenter noted that with regard to the 
excessive enhancement issue, LIHTC properties should be treated in the 
same manner as Qualified Assisted Housing properties. The commenter 
added that the existence of maximum rental rates and long-term use 
restrictions in the LIHTC program acted as strong disincentives to the 
undertaking of excessive enhancements and for those reasons, the 
commenter urged DOE to conclude that LIHTC properties have controls in 
place to ensure no undue or excessive enhancement. This commenter 
indicated that DOE could alternatively consider defining ``excessive 
enhancement'' by reference to a savings to investment ratio over the 
lifecycle of the improvement.
    DOE recognizes that some of the conditions placed on property 
owners under the LIHTC program may make it unlikely for weatherization 
work to result in undue or excessive enhancements to the property. 
However, in some cases, additional conditions may be required in order 
to assure compliance with this requirement. Because of the variability 
of arrangements under the LIHTC program, DOE is not including 
properties under the LIHTC program on the published list of properties 
that comply with the ``no undue or excessive enhancement requirement'' 
without need for further conditions or verification.
    Based on review of the public comments, DOE has determined in 
today's final rule that the existing limits on permissible work under 
the Weatherization Assistance Program and the HUD control of 
improvements under the Qualified Assisted Housing programs provide the 
necessary assurances that no undue or excessive enhancement will occur 
as a result of the weatherization of the buildings identified by HUD.

[[Page 3853]]

B. Other Eligibility Requirements

1. Accrual of Benefits
    Under the Weatherization Assistance Program regulations, a grantee 
must ensure that for multi-unit buildings the benefits of weatherizing 
a building that consists of rental units, including rental units where 
the tenant pays for energy through rent, accrue primarily to the low-
income tenants. (42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(5)(A); 10 CFR 440.22(b)(3)(i)). The 
payment of utilities in Qualified Assisted Housing Programs and LIHTC 
can be structured in a number of ways. For centrally-metered utilities, 
utility expenditures are included in monthly rent payments. For 
individually- or sub-metered utilities, tenants may receive a utility 
allowance, or the utility allowance can be provided directly to the 
utility company. Given the variability with how the benefits of 
weatherization, particularly utility savings, could be realized by 
tenants in the Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC Programs, a request 
for weatherization of a multi-unit building on the list provided by HUD 
would need to demonstrate that the benefits of the weatherization work 
accrue primarily to the low-income tenants.
    Compliance with the requirement for the benefits of weatherization 
to accrue to the low-income tenants can be demonstrated more readily 
when the weatherization results in reduced utility costs for the 
tenant. Under the Qualified Assisted Housing programs and the LIHTC 
Program, tenants may not directly pay for all or part of their utility 
bills. In instances in which tenants of a building do not directly pay 
utility costs and have capped rents, the property owner needs to 
demonstrate that benefits accrue primarily to the tenant of the 
weatherized units other than by the benefit of reduced utility bills. 
In the NOPR DOE requested comments on how to ensure compliance with the 
requirement that benefits of weatherization accrue primarily to the 
low-income tenants, including information on procedures that may be 
used by States and subgrantees to determine that the accrual provision 
is satisfied in the context of buildings in the Qualified Assisted 
Housing programs and LIHTC Program.
    DOE finds that public comments provided helpful guidance on how 
States could potentially meet the requirement of ensuring that the 
benefits accrue primarily to low-income tenants. Some commenters 
submitted that reduced utility bills were not the only indication of a 
benefit accruing primarily to the low-income tenant and treating them 
as such would run contrary to the realities of assisted rental housing 
and undermine the work many States have done to address housing and 
resident needs. The commenters urged DOE to determine that this accrual 
requirement could be met by the safer, healthier living environment 
low-income tenants experience as a result of weatherization. (Nat'l 
Housing Law Project, SAHF, OH Partners for Affordable Energy) 
Commenters also asserted that this requirement could be met by the 
preservation of the property as affordable rental housing. They 
indicated that weatherization funds help these properties manage rising 
energy costs and therefore, protect the long term viability and 
availability of affordable housing, thereby primarily benefiting 
current and future low-income tenants. (See SAHF, p. 3-4; OH Partners 
for Affordable Energy, p. 4) One commenter stated that in strong 
markets, properties are affordable only because of control or long-term 
use restrictions. Some comments urged DOE to determine that the accrual 
requirement could be met if a non-profit owns or controls the property 
or the property is subject to a low-income use restriction for a 
certain period of time. (See SAHF, p. 3; NCLC, p.14) DOE agrees that 
procedures under which weatherization work incorporates use agreements 
that extend the affordable character of the project for the low-income 
tenants can be relied on by States, in part, to ensure the accrual of 
benefits of the weatherization to low-income tenants.
    Other commenters expressed that while the reduction of energy costs 
was not the only benefit low-income tenants could derive from 
weatherization, it was the most important. (See NCLC/TLSC, p. 4-5) They 
added that in instances where low-income tenants pay for utilities as 
part of their capped rent, the financial benefits resulting from 
weatherization accrue primarily to owners rather than low-income 
tenants. (See NCLC/TLSC, p. 4-5) In instances where low-income tenants 
pay for their own utilities, the commenters asserted that the benefits 
would accrue primarily to the tenants.
    DOE has determined that the Qualified Assisted Housing programs, in 
and of themselves, may not provide the conditions necessary to ensure 
that the benefits of weatherization accrue primarily to the low-income 
tenants. This was recognized by many of the commenters who provided 
examples of instances in which the benefits could be demonstrated as 
accruing primarily to the low-income tenants through the imposition of 
conditions in addition to those present under the Qualified Assisted 
Housing Programs. Administering State agencies have the responsibility 
to ensure that the benefits of weatherization activities at Qualified 
Assisted Housing properties accrue primarily to the low-income tenants. 
Thus, States may establish requirements and procedures for subgrantees 
to demonstrate that this standard is met.
    Given the variability with how utility savings could be realized by 
tenants in the Qualified Assisted Housing and LIHTC programs, a request 
for weatherization of a multi-unit building that is on the list 
provided by HUD would still need to demonstrate to the State (or 
subgrantee administering the program) that the benefits of the 
weatherization work accrue primarily to the low-income tenants. 
Demonstration of the benefits of weatherization accruing primarily to 
the low-income tenants can include reduced utility costs, and also a 
combination of longer-term preservation of the property as affordable 
housing, continued monitoring by or on behalf of DOE of the 
Weatherization Assistance Program's statutorily required protection 
from rent increases to low income tenants, and the benefits of a 
healthier living environment (e.g., improved livability from thermal 
insulation, reductions in drafts, and fewer problems with allergens in 
living units).
    Commenters cited procedures currently employed by States to ensure 
that the benefits of weatherization accrue primarily to low-income 
tenants. For example, the State of Washington recognizes ``preserved 
low-income-housing, added comfort, and improved indoor air quality'' as 
direct benefits to tenants, and requires documentation of the direct 
benefits that satisfy the accrual of benefits requirement. The approach 
taken by the State of Washington provides one model example of how 
States can ensure that the benefits of weatherization accrue primarily 
to low-income tenants. DOE is considering describing this and possibly 
other existing procedures in guidance as a non-inclusive list of 
examples of weatherization benefit accrual to low-income tenants. 
States may also consider other ways in which owner contributions or 
energy savings could be structured such that the benefits of 
weatherization can be shown to accrue primarily to the low-income 
tenants. These may include investments in capital expenditures such as 
energy efficient appliances, modernization of apartments, health and 
safety improvements, improved security systems, and other upgrades to 
the physical plant, as well as services such as such as broadband 
access, job

[[Page 3854]]

training through local community centers, and, access to local 
community facilities or after-school programs. States may consider 
these examples, a combination of these examples, or other conditions 
when considering how to ensure that the benefits of the weatherization 
accrue primarily to the low-income tenants.
 2. Permission of Owner or Owner's Agent
    Today's final rule will not alleviate the need for a subgrantee to 
obtain the written permission of the owner or the owner's agent or to 
confirm that a dwelling unit is not designated for acquisition or 
clearance by Federal, State, or local program within 12 months from the 
date of the weatherization.
3. Owner Financial Participation
    DOE received a comment asserting that requiring additional owner 
contributions to participate in the weatherization program will create 
an additional and undue burden on the owner. (OH Dept. of Development) 
This commenter added that the owner contribution should be waived and 
required at the discretion of the State Home Weatherization Assistance 
Program recipient, and that it also be based on a financial analysis of 
the housing finance agency. (OH Dept. of Development) Today's final 
rule does not amend the regulatory provision regarding financial 
participation from building owners. As stated in the regulation, a 
State may require financial participation where feasible from owners of 
multi-family buildings. See, 10 CFR 440.22(d), emphasis added.

C. Other Comments Received

1. Allowable Expenditures
    Some comments expressed interest in DOE addressing the restriction 
that prohibits weatherization funds from being used in buildings that 
have received funding since September 30, 1993. 10 CFR 
440.18(f)(2)(iii). The commenters remarked that technological 
improvements and escalating energy prices since 1993 justify allowing 
weatherization programs to revisit properties that already received 
assistance.
    DOE notes that the prohibition on the use of weatherization funds 
from being used in certain buildings that have received funds in 
previous years is established by statute and not subject to amendment 
by DOE. (See, 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(2)).
2. Prioritization/Promotion of Multi-Family Projects
    Some commenters presented the view that the rule could result in 
agencies providing services favoring multifamily properties than other 
types of properties. They urged that the decision on what types of 
dwellings to weatherize remain a local one because local agencies are 
most familiar with the needs of their communities. (See OH Partners for 
Affordable Energy, others)
    Today's final rule does not require States to establish a 
particular prioritization with regard to the weatherization of multi-
family buildings. Today's final rule minimizes procedural burdens on 
those States and subgrantees that choose to weatherize multi-family 
buildings for which the Federal government has data to support the 
eligibility of those buildings under DOE's Weatherization Assistance 
Program.

IV. Regulatory Analysis

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    Today's final rule has been determined to be an economically 
significant regulatory action under section 3(f)(1) of Executive Order 
12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 
1993). Accordingly, this action was subject to review under that 
Executive Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5; 
Recovery Act) provided $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance 
Program. Funding for grants under the Weatherization Assistance Program 
at a level greater than $100 million makes this rulemaking economically 
significant under the Executive Order.
    The weatherization grants provided under this program constitute 
transfer payments. In this case, the payments are from the Government 
to grantees (e.g., States, units of general purpose of local 
government, and community action agencies), and the payments do not 
represent a change in the total resources available to society. The 
grants do generate impacts such as weatherization benefits, however, 
which are discussed qualitatively in this final rule.\4\ See OMB 
Circular A-4, at 14, 38 and 46. Given that today's rule is finalized 
prior to complete expenditure of the Recovery Act funds by grantees and 
subgrantees under the Weatherization Assistance Program, today's final 
rule could impact the process used by grantees and subgrantees to 
evaluate applications with respect to multi-unit buildings that are 
covered by this final rule for the purpose of distributing funds 
provided under the Recovery Act. Such changes in the process for 
application evaluation have the potential to cause a change in the 
distribution of Recovery Act funding, which may constitute a transfer 
between different non-Federal entities. Such impacts would also be a 
consideration when categorizing this rulemaking under Executive Order 
12866.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ It is important to note that rules that transfer Federal 
dollars often have opportunity costs or benefits in addition to the 
budgetary dollars spent because they can affect incentives, and thus 
lead to changes in the way people behave (e.g., in their investment 
decisions). For example, OMB Circular A-94 suggests that transfers 
that result from increased taxes may be associated with a marginal 
excess burden (deadweight loss) of 25 cents per dollar of Federal 
revenue collected (p. 12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires the 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule 
that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency 
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required 
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking,'' (67 FR 53461; August 16, 2002), DOE published 
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the rulemaking process (68 FR 7990). DOE has made its 
procedures and policies available on the Office of General Counsel's 
Web site: https://www.gc.doe.gov. Today's action revises the eligibility 
requirements that apply to the administration of the Weatherization 
Assistance Program grants by grantees and subgrantees. Because the 
matter of today's action relates to grants, it is not subject to the 
notice and comment provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. 5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2). Therefore, the analytical requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply. Although DOE requested 
comment, today's final rule on the eligibility of multi-unit buildings 
under the Weatherization Assistance Program is not subject to any legal 
requirement to publish a general notice of proposed rulemaking.

C. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    DOE has determined that today's action is covered under the 
Categorical Exclusion found in DOE's National

[[Page 3855]]

Environmental Policy Act regulations at paragraph A.6. of Appendix A to 
subpart D, 10 CFR part 1021. That Categorical Exclusion applies to 
rulemakings that are strictly procedural, such as rulemaking 
establishing the administration of grants. Today's action amends the 
eligibility provisions for multi-unit buildings under the 
Weatherization Assistance Program. The regulations will not have direct 
environmental impacts. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared an 
environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.

D. Review Under Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    Executive Order 13132, 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999), imposes 
certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing policies 
or regulations that pre-empt State law or that have federalism 
implications. Agencies are required to examine the constitutional and 
statutory authority supporting any action that would limit the 
policymaking discretion of the States and carefully assess the 
necessity for such actions. DOE has examined today's final rule and has 
determined it will not pre-empt State law and will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

E. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    With respect to the review of existing regulations and the 
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, 
Civil Justice Reform, 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), imposes on 
Executive agencies the general duty to adhere to the following 
requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write 
regulations to minimize litigation; and (3) provide a clear legal 
standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard and 
promote simplification and burden reduction. The review required by 
sections 3(a) and 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires 
that Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the 
regulation: (1) Clearly specifies the pre-emptive effect, if any; (2) 
clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation; (3) 
provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting 
simplification and burden reduction; (4) specifies the retroactive 
effect, if any; (5) adequately defines key terms; and (6) addresses 
other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship 
under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of 
Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations 
in light of applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine 
whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them.
    DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the 
extent permitted by law, today's action meets the relevant standards of 
Executive Order 12988.

F. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) generally 
requires Federal agencies to examine closely the impacts of regulatory 
actions on State, local, and tribal governments. Subsection 101(5) of 
Title I of that law defines a Federal intergovernmental mandate to 
include any regulation that would impose upon State, local, or tribal 
governments an enforceable duty, except a condition of Federal 
assistance or a duty arising from participating in a voluntary Federal 
program. Title II of that law requires each Federal agency to assess 
the effects of Federal regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, other than to 
the extent such actions merely incorporate requirements specifically 
set forth in a statute. Section 202 of that title requires a Federal 
agency to perform a detailed assessment of the anticipated costs and 
benefits of any rule that includes a Federal mandate which may result 
in costs to State, local, or tribal governments, or to the private 
sector, of $100 million or more. Section 204 of that title requires 
each agency that proposes a rule containing a significant Federal 
intergovernmental mandate to develop an effective process for obtaining 
meaningful and timely input from elected officers of State, local, and 
tribal governments.
    Today's final rule will not impose a Federal mandate on State, 
local or tribal governments, and it will not result in the expenditure 
by State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. Accordingly, 
no assessment or analysis is required under the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995.

G. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 
of 1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a 
Family Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family 
well-being. Today's final rule will not have any impact on the autonomy 
or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has 
concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

H. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 
of 2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516, note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), 
and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). 
DOE has reviewed today's final rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines 
and has concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in 
those guidelines.

I. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an 
agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a 
final rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy, or (3) is designated by the Administrator of the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as a significant energy 
action. For any proposed significant energy action, the agency must 
give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on energy supply, 
distribution, or use, should the proposal be implemented, and of 
reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected benefits on 
energy supply, distribution, and use.
    Today's regulatory action will not have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy and is therefore 
not a significant energy action. Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a 
Statement of Energy Effects.

J. Review Under Executive Order 13175

    Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribal

[[Page 3856]]

Governments'' (65 FR 67249; November 9, 2000), requires DOE to develop 
an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by 
tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' 
refers to regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or 
more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government 
and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.'' Today's regulatory 
action is not a policy that has ``tribal implications'' under Executive 
Order 13175. Today's regulatory action amends the eligibility 
provisions applicable to multi-unit buildings under the Weatherization 
Assistance Program. DOE has reviewed today's action under Executive 
Order 13175 and has determined that it is consistent with applicable 
policies of that Executive Order.

 K. Congressional Notification

    As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will submit to Congress a report 
regarding the issuance of today's final rule prior to the effective 
date set forth at the outset of this notice. The report will state that 
it has been determined that the rule is a ``major rule'' as defined by 
5 U.S.C. 804(2). DOE also will submit the supporting analyses to the 
Comptroller General in the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
and make them available to each House of Congress.

V. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of today's final 
rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 440

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Energy conservation, 
Grant programs--energy, Grant programs--housing and community 
development, Housing standards, Indians, Individuals with disabilities, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Weatherization.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2010.
Catherine R. Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, DOE is amending Part 440 of 
chapter II of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations to read as follows:

PART 440--WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 440 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6861, et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.


0
2. Section 440.22 is amended by adding paragraph (b)(4) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  440.22  Eligible dwelling units.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4)(i) A building containing rental dwelling units meets the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(2), and paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and 
(b)(3)(iv), of this section if it is included on the most recent list 
posted by DOE of Assisted Housing and Public Housing buildings 
identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as 
meeting those requirements.
    (ii) A building containing rental dwelling units meets the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(2), and paragraph (b)(3)(iv), of this 
section if it is included on the most recent list posted by DOE of 
Assisted Housing and Public Housing buildings identified by the U.S. 
Department of Housing an