Selection of community energy efficiency projects.

A. When reviewing and selecting community energy efficiency projects for grants from the community energy efficiency development block grant fund, the department shall consider: (1) the estimated reduction in energy use from the project; (2) the geographic diversity of the portfolio of community energy efficiency projects to be approved by the department; (3) the experience of each community partner or service provider identified in the application in working with the targeted underserved community; (4) whether the application includes a commitment by a service provider or community partner to employ apprentices from a registered apprenticeship program that promotes diversity or to provide paid internships to persons from the targeted underserved communities; (5) the value of the project as a demonstration project to provide data for the effectiveness of implementing similar projects elsewhere; and (6) the degree to which the project benefits an underserved community, including any non-energy benefits and health benefits provided by the project. B. Provided that the criteria are published in the project solicitation, the department may further consider in its review and selection of community energy efficiency projects: (1) the degree to which the project will protect public health, including protecting underserved communities from a public health threat such as the coronavirus disease 2019; (2) the degree to which the project will contribute to economic recovery, including from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic; or (3) the degree to which the project will reduce economic hardship of individual families due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. C. In considering an application from the New Mexico mortgage finance authority, the department shall consider whether full or partial funding of the New Mexico mortgage finance authority application would: (1) promote geographic diversity of the portfolio of community energy efficiency projects; (2) reduce the energy burden of low-income persons, within or outside of underserved communities, who would not be likely to otherwise receive energy efficiency improvements through other state programs; or (3) help create a portfolio of community energy efficiency projects that would best meet the goals of the Community Energy Efficiency Development Block Grant Act.