Proposed Rule: Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to expand the definition of ``State'' under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons (Weatherization Assistance Program) and to amend the financial assistance allocation procedure to reflect the expanded definition. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 amended the Weatherization Assistance Program definition of ``State'' to include the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the other territories and possessions of the United States. Consistent with the statutory amendment, DOE is proposing to amend the regulatory definition of ``State,'' and to amend the allocation procedure relied on to calculate the amount of financial assistance received by each State so as to include American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. DATES: Public comments on this proposed rule and the proposed information collection request will be accepted until February 27, 2009. DOE will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in Conference Room 5E-081, at 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC.