Notice of Staff Workshop
On the California Utility Allowance Calculator
The California Utility Allowance Calculator (CUAC) is a tool designed to calculate project-specific utility allowances for low income housing projects. California Energy Commission staff will conduct a workshop to present the tool, demonstrate its use, and address questions from the public.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008
3 p.m.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
1516 Ninth Street
First Floor, Hearing Room B
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)
Purpose
This workshop will provide background information regarding the California Utility Allowance Calculator and its development. It will include a step-by-step demonstration of the calculator. Staff will address any posed by the public.
Background
As a result of recommendations from the New Solar Homes Partnership's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Commission staff working through its KEMA contractor began development of the California Utility Allowance Calculator in 2007. KEMA developed a beta version of the calculator in late 2007 and has sought beta testing and suggestions for improvement from stakeholders. Throughout 2008 KEMA continued to improve the Calculator and has completed a final version designed for public use.
In July 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final regulations for changes to utility allowances for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects. In California the state LIHTC agency is the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC). In these regulations the IRS established the authority for the CTCAC to authorize the use of an energy consumption software model to determine project-specific utility allowances. The CTCAC is considering the CUAC for approval as the energy consumption model software for California.
Interested parties can download the CUAC below.
Download ZIP File Containing CUAC (ZIP file, 3.4 megabytes)
CUAC User Instructions
Download CUAC User Guide (PDF file, 52 kb)
The California Utility Allowance Calculator requires a Windows-based computer with the Microsoft Access Database software program. To run the program following these instructions:
- Create a folder in your computer's "C" drive as "CUAC".
- Download the CUAC.zip file from above (right click the link) into the new "CUAC" folder on your C drive.
- Unzip the files from the CUAC.zip file.
- Run the file "UACTool-Rev20.mdb" in Microsoft Access.
Note: For newest version of the CUAC, please visit the Go Solar California website.
Public Participation
The Energy Commission's Public Adviser's Office provides the public assistance in participating in Energy Commission activities. If you want information on how to participate in this forum, please contact the Public Adviser's Office at (916) 654-4489 or toll free at (800) 822-6228, by FAX at (916) 654-4493, or by e-mail at [PublicAdviser@energy.state.ca.us]. If you have a disability and require assistance to participate, please contact Lou Quiroz at (916) 654-5146 at least five days in advance.
News media should direct inquiries to Media and Public Communications, at (916) 654-4989, or by e-mail at [mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us].
For technical questions on the subject matter, please call Adrian Ownby, at (916) 651-3008 or e-mail at [aownby@energy.state.ca.us].
WebEx Broadcast of Meeting
You can participate in this meeting through WebEx, the Energy Commission's on-line meeting service.
Topic: CUAC Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Time: 3:00 pm, Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -07:00, San Francisco)
Meeting Number: 920 232 565
Meeting Password: CUAC@1022
Please click the link below to see more information about the meeting, including its agenda, or to join the meeting.
To join the online meeting:
- Go to https://energy.webex.com/energy/j.php?ED=109255222&UID=0&PW=f7833217362f3e376f2d495e5144
- Enter your name and email address.
- Enter the meeting password: CUAC@1022
- Click "Join Now".
- Follow the instructions that appear on your screen
To join the teleconference only
- Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Or, call the number below and enter the meeting number.
- Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 866-469-3239
- Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-650-429-3300
- Global call-in numbers: https://energy.webex.com/energy/globalcallin.php?serviceType=MC&ED=109255222&tollFree=1
- Toll-free dialing restrictions: http://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf (PDF file)
For assistance
- Go to https://energy.webex.com/energy/mc
- On the left navigation bar, click "Support."
Or contact:
aownby@energy.state.ca.us
916-654-4163
To update this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link: https://energy.webex.com/energy/j.php?ED=109255222&UID=0&ICS=UMI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=Z3y1uMiiXUU-xzn9sxGm8IDkGFkLyFvInPeOWlcv8rM=
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