It is the intent of the Legislature to protect and strengthen the current network of community service providers by doing the following:

(a) Directing that any evaluation of the effectiveness of the low-income energy efficiency programs shall be based not solely on cost criteria, but also on the degree to which the provision of services allows maximum program accessibility to quality programs to low-income communities by entities that have demonstrated performance in effectively delivering services to the communities.

(b) Ensuring that high quality, low-income energy efficiency programs are delivered to the maximum number of eligible participants at a reasonable cost.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 700, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2000.)