PORT ANGELES — Olympic Community Action Programs’ energy assistance programs serving Clallam County will receive $217,649 from the settlement of a lawsuit against three companies over energy market manipulation during the winter of 2000-2001.

Jefferson County residents also will benefit from the settlement, although the size of that grant hasn’t been determined yet.

The Energy Project, a group of 11 community action programs led by the Opportunity Council in Bellingham, will receive $5.3 million for energy assistance programs in 30 utility service areas, including Jefferson County.

The grant money will be used to provide rebates for energy-efficient appliances, low-interest loans to make residences more energy efficient and energy assistance for low-income residents, said Tim Hockett, OlyCAP’s deputy director.

OlyCAP is the largest emergency services agency in Jefferson and Clallam counties.

“We expect to help several hundred families with a variety of interventions through the city of Port Angeles and Clallam PUD,” Hockett said.

Until he meets with city and Clallam PUD officials, he won’t know the details of how the money will be distributed, Hockett said.

The amount of the rebates and loans vary and the energy assistance grants are capped at $150, he said.

The grant also will allow the Peninsula Daily News Home Fund to be stretched a little bit further, Hockett said.

The PDN Home Fund provides residents with Clallam and Jefferson county residents with rental assistance, hot meals, warm winter coats, home repairs, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, dental work and temporary housing.

OlyCAP manages the fund for the Peninsula Daily News and screens the applicants.