The minister said changes approved this week by Treasury Board will increase the household income threshold from $30,000 to $35,000. The increase would mean roughly 3,500 more Island families would be eligible for assistance than under the $30,000 limit established in 2006.

“Since the Office of Energy Efficiency was established in early 2008, staff have been able to process applications from about 1,200 low-income households and to help these families gain more control over energy use and energy spending,” said the minister. “Expanding the eligibility for these programs will allow us to help even more homes where energy costs can be a financial challenge.”

OEE programs targeting low-income households include:

• PEI ecoEnergy Audit Assistance Program for Low-Income Households

• PEI Energy Efficiency Loan Program – for Low-Income Households

• PEI Home Energy Low-income Program (HELP)

More information on the Office of Energy Efficiency and its programs is available on the Internet at www.gov.pe.ca/oee.