BILL NO. 437

(as introduced)

1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2024

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Working Families Power Bill Reduction
and Air Quality Act

 

The Honourable Iain Rankin
Timberlea–Prospect

First Reading: March 20, 2024

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Reduce Power Bills
and Improve Indoor Air Quality
for Working Families

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Working Families Power Bill Reduction and Air Quality Act.

2 (1) The Weatherization Assistance Program is established.

(2) Subject to Section 4, the Program may provide grants of up to $10,000 to assist in reducing energy costs for households with a gross annual household income of less than $98,900 by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.

(3) A grant under the Program must be made in accordance with the regulations and may be in respect of

(a) improving insulation;

(b) air-sealing;

(c) weatherization;

(d) mould removal;

(e) carbon monoxide detectors;

(f) attic dampers;

(g) radon systems;

(h) the purchase and installation of heat pumps;

(i) the purchase and installation of heat-pump water heaters;

(j) the purchase and installation of zero-carbon-ready high-efficiency home heating systems; and

(k) other goods and services prescribed by the regulations.

3 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) respecting grants under this Act, including

(i) further eligibility requirements for grants,

(ii) the form and manner of applications for a grant,

(iii) the amounts of grants and the timing for the payment of grants, and

(iv) any other matter necessary or advisable to administer a grant under this Act;

(b) prescribing other goods and services for which a grant may be made;

(c) defining any word or expression used but not defined in this Act;

(d) respecting any matter the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act.

(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.

4 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose.

5 This Act has effect on and after May 1, 2024.

 

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