Clark County approves nearly $1 million for a new heating energy assistance program

The Clark County Council unanimously approved a nearly $1 million contract for a new heating energy assistance program, expanding it to people who may not have been previously eligible.

The county has contracted with Clark Public Utilities since 2002 to deliver federal home energy grants to low-income households. Now, more folks may be able to benefit from the new program, sponsored by the state Department of Commerce.

“Part of the purpose of this funding is to include people who were previously ineligible,” Abby Molloy, program coordinator for Clark County, said during a recent council meeting. The program assists households at or below 80 percent of the median area income.

“It’s a great opportunity for us because we’re going to be able to help a much broader group of people,” said Dameon Pesanti, spokesman for Clark Public Utilities. The utility will administer the grant beginning in October and continuing through June 30, 2025.

The federally backed, low-income energy assistance program provides grants for any energy source from wood stoves to electricity to propane. The new state program, however, will only provide assistance for homes heated with electricity or natural gas.

“Clark County has supported the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program because it helps low-income families in the county be safe and healthy,” said Michael Torres, county program manager for community action, housing and development.

The state program extends those services, Torres said.

The program also allows low-income households “to replace inefficient, outdated or unsafe home heating and cooling systems with more energy-efficient electric and cooling technologies, such as heat pumps,” he added.

The council also approved a new $15 million five-year agreement with Clark Public Utilities to continue administering the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.