Section 135-D. Scope of plan

1. Each utility shall adopt and implement a
  home conservation plan as approved by the commission,  and  shall  offer
  participation  to  its  customers. The availability of the plan shall be
  publicized by the utility to encourage customer participation.
    2. The commission  may  provide  that  any  such  plan  shall  provide
  participating  customers  with the opportunity to enter into a financing
  contract and security agreement with  the  sponsoring  utility  for  the
  amount  financed.  If  such an agreement is entered into, the commission
  shall require the payment of interest by each participant on the  amount
  financed  by  such participant in accordance with the provisions of this
  article.
    3. Each plan shall provide for the installation and financing  of  one
  or  more  types  of  energy  conservation  measures  and provide for the
  performance of energy audits.
    4. Where any plan includes financing by a utility, any such plan shall
  include the maximum rate of interest chargeable by the  utility  on  any
  amounts   financed  hereunder;  allowable  repayment  periods;  probable
  sources of and methods by which the utility will raise  funds  to  carry
  out  the  plan; and such other information and matters as the commission
  deems necessary and appropriate  to  effectuate  the  purposes  of  this
  article.
    5.  The  chairman,  with  the  assistance  of  such public and private
  entities as he shall select, shall prepare,  administer  and  finance  a
  program  to  promote  wide  public  awareness  of  the  availability and
  benefits of the home conservation plans,  energy  conservation  measures
  and energy audits authorized by this article. Such programs may include,
  but  not  be  limited  to,  promotion  of the plans, measures and audits
  through the media and through the utilities.  Funds  for  financing  any
  such  program  shall  be  made  available  to  the  chairman from moneys
  provided the department pursuant to the assessment provisions of section
  eighteen-a of this chapter, provided however, that such funds shall  not
  exceed   two   million   dollars  in  any  state  fiscal  year  and  the
  authorization for using assessment funds to  finance  any  such  program
  shall expire June first, nineteen hundred ninety-six.
    6.   Each  plan  shall  include  a  training  program  and  experience
  requirements  for  auditors  so  they  are  familiar  with  the   energy
  conservation  criteria and energy conservation measures provided by this
  article. In addition, each plan shall assure that utility employees  who
  regularly  deal  with the public can provide information about the scope
  and benefits of the plans.
    7.  Each  plan  may  include  provision  for  the   participation   of
  not-for-profit neighborhood preservation or development organizations in
  order  to  promote  energy  audits  and to explain methods of conserving
  energy to the community.