Announcements

Baseloads May Not Be Eligible in Future

At the September NASCSP Conference in Atlanta, Bob Adams stated that DOE legal staff has concluded that baseload work, which has been allowed for over two years, may not be allowed in the future.  However, no official change in program has been released. At this time, baseload work continues to be allowed.

However, remember that baseload work is not allowed when using EAP/WX funding.  If you have specific questions, please call your field monitor.

Policy Updates

WX Auditor and Inspector Requirements

This is a list of current requirements for Minnesota WAP auditors and inspectors that are included in the state plan but may not be readily known. 

Note: This requirement will change with the beginning of the 2014 WAP Program year (July 1, 2014). The new requirement will include the successful passing of a national test. More details will be coming soon. This will be a new DOE requirement.

At the present time, auditors and inspectors must:

1. Complete Dunwoody training and obtain certificate of completion. An acceptable alternate training is BPI certification with permission from Commerce.
2. Have a Certificate of Attendance and Successful Completion of Lead Renovator training in accordance with 40 CFR 745.255 EPA Lead Renovator Certification.
3. Have a certificate for successful completion of OSHA 10 hour safety training course.
4. Attend ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation training.

ASHRAE 62.2 Clarifications on Enforcement

The approved Minnesota Weatherization State Plan states that Minnesota will begin implementing ASHRAE 62.2 on September 1, 2012. All audits that take place on or after September 1, 2012 must meet the requirements of ASHRAE 62.2.

After attending two ASHRAE 62.2 trainings, it is clear to Commerce staff that ASHRAE 62.2 work in Minnesota falls under the Appendix A of the standard. In most cases, a fan that meets the whole house requirement will meet the standard. In some cases, an additional fan will be required.  In a few cases, a kitchen fan may be appropriate.  This is what other states such as Wisconsin also report. As stated previously, Service Providers may use the WAPTAC worksheet or a comparable worksheet to complete the necessary calculations to determine the correct ventilation required for a house. 

Program Updates

State Historic Preservation Requirements

SHPO must be submitted for all dwelling types including mobile homes. All housing types must have a Historic Preservation Data Sheet completed and placed in the household file.  

Follow these steps for the Historic Preservation Data Sheet:

1. If construction date is 1965 or later, or it is a mobile home, you do not need to answer the questions below. However, you do need to fill in your e-mail address and submit this form using the submit button at the bottom of the page.
2. If construction date is earlier than 1965 , all questions must be answered. If you answer YES to any question please provide an explanation in the field just below the question. Then, capture the map coordinates for the project, fill in your e-mail address and submit the form. 
3. Enter accurate data in any changes in the building that may affect the historical significance of the dwelling’s appearance.
4. Include a copy of the SHPO review form in each client file, including the post 1965 dwellings.

Training

Manual J Software and Training

The Department of Commerce is pleased to announce that it has completed the bidding process and has selected Wrightsoft as the company to provide an ACCA approved Manual J software. Commerce will be receiving the passwords for software shortly and will be releasing the software to weatherization service providers in the near future.  Please keep the following dates open as this will be a mandatory training for all auditors and inspectors: December 4, 5 and 6. The training dates will be held at the Department of Commerce in St. Paul.  There will not be a registration fee for this training.  Additional information and registration will be sent out via email.