Greater Wellington Regional Council decided today that it would participate in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's home insulation and clean heating scheme by providing a grant of up to $2,600 per ratepayer to fund the remaining cost of home insulation and clean heating over and above the monies provided by EECA. This grant would then be repaid by way of a targeted rate over a 10-year period. Greater Wellington's grant scheme should be available from September 2009. Greater Wellington's Chair Fran Wilde said that today's Council decision should help to accelerate the uptake of EECA's scheme in the region. "Modern insulation systems and clean heating appliances mean that people shouldn't be living in cold and unhealthy homes. As well as health benefits, insulation also reduces heating costs and adds value to properties. Our Council believes that this new grant scheme is a way it can offer tangible benefits to all of the region's residential property owners. "This initiative also offers benefits in terms of reduced air pollution from open fires - important in towns like Masterton and Greytown - and lower greenhouse gas emissions. "In addition to the assistance currently available through EECA, Greater Wellington has agreed to provide additional assistance of up to $2,600 per ratepayer (including GST), and a total spending cap for this scheme of $3 million per year. This means up to 1,150 households in the region can be helped out each year," Fran Wilde said. To qualify for Greater Wellington assistance, ratepayers need to initially approach EECA under the terms of its scheme. If EECA accepts that application, and the applicant then wishes to obtain funding assistance from Greater Wellington, then the following additional steps are required: The approved service provider advises Greater Wellington/EECA of the details regarding costs, homeowner etc. Greater Wellington confirms with the rating database that the homeowner qualifies for assistance from Greater Wellington and that there are no rates arrears Contract signed between homeowner and Greater Wellington Service provider sends a copy of the invoice to Greater Wellington for the amount to be funded by Greater Wellington after deducting the EECA grant Greater Wellington confirms back to the ratepayer details of the grant Greater Wellington pays EECA or the service provider. A targeted rate is charged to the property over a 10 year period. Greater Wellington will not undertake any marketing, quality control, monitoring of installations etc. This will be undertaken by EECA. This scheme is designed to be self-funding and will not impose any additional costs on regional ratepayers other than those who own properties covered by the scheme.