Section 222. Senior citizen energy packaging pilot program

1. Within the
  amounts appropriated therefor, the office shall establish guidelines for
  and administer a senior citizen energy packaging  pilot  program  to  be
  carried  out  by county offices for the aging in the counties of Nassau,
  Suffolk, Broome, Erie and Tompkins and such other counties as funds  may
  allow.  Wherever  possible,  such  program  shall  be  coordinated  with
  appropriate existing programs of  public  utilities,  the  state  energy
  office and the department of state.
    2. These appropriations shall be used specifically for the training of
  personnel  within  county offices for the aging to insure their thorough
  familiarity with state and  federal  energy  conservation  programs  and
  benefits and their ability to facilitate receipt of such benefits by the
  client  population.  These  appropriations shall also be used to provide
  salaries,  appropriate  benefits  and  expenses  of  such  personnel  in
  carrying out the purposes of the pilot program. Depending on the size of
  the  client population to be served, no more than five of such personnel
  shall be trained and utilized in any county.
    3. The client population shall consist of those senior citizens living
  at or below the poverty level.  Whenever  possible,  priority  shall  be
  given  to  serving first those in greatest need of assistance, including
  but not limited to, home energy assistance program recipients.