AZ, KS, MS and OR Receives Funding to Expand State Weatherization Programs & Create Green Jobs-


U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently publicized the approved funding of more than $80 million to expand state weatherization programs in Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Oregon. These funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act commenced by President Barack Obama to provide support and expansion for state renewable energy efforts. The above mentioned states were required to submit their thorough weatherization strategies by May 12th and have now been approved to receive an additional 40 percent of the total funding sanctioned under the legislation; adding to the 10 percent of the states’ grant allowances that were already portioned when the weatherization funds first became available in early May. As the Recovery Act involves a resilient dedication to responsibility and oversight, the four states will receive the remaining balance of the funds once they meet the stringent reporting, management and accountability objectives. The DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will be accessible to families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $44,000/annually for a family of four. These weatherization projects allow families bringing in little income to save cash by adjusting their residences into energy efficient eco friendly homes, helping to reduce energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year. “The Obama Administration is moving at an unprecedented pace to award these funds to states, so that weatherization agencies can move forward, hire new workers, and immediately begin helping homeowners make their homes more energy efficient,” said Secretary Chu. “This investment will save money for hardworking families while creating jobs, reducing pollution, and moving us toward energy independence.”

The four states receiving renewable energy funding submitted assertive and inventive ideas to further develop their weatherization programs; with Arizona (granted $22,809,311) utilizing funds to weatherize a supplementary 6,409 homes over the next three years, and will work with 10 local weatherization groups to offer services for low-income families – focused most on elderly and handicapped residents, along with high energy expending households. The weatherization training program gives new technicians the chance to register in Weatherization Boot Camp, a 5-day instructed training course involving energy basics, pressure analytics, health and safety and hands-on diagnostic and repair. To observe the efficiency of the weatherization program from home-to-home, the AZ WAP must work directly with local electric and gas companies to acquire and assess utility bills for weatherized homes. Once Arizona can display successful execution of their proposal, the DOE will distribute more than $28 million in supplemental program funding to total more than $57 million. Kansas (granted $22,576,708) will develop already existing weatherization plans to supply 5,820 new homes with sustainable funding aid, as well as increase their Multi-family weatherization program to reach more low-income homes, principally the elderly, disabled and families with children. Before getting the latest proportioned weatherization investment funding, the Kansas weatherization network analyzed their staffing and equipment needs and have ramped up operations. The Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program (K-WAP) has also increased the number of trainings they are running to meet the growing need for weatherization workers. After presenting major accomplishments of their plans to the DOE, the state is set to receive $28 million in advanced funding, totaling more than $56 million. Mississippi (granted $19,768,477) has planned to use their venture funding to weatherize 5,467 more homes, centering on single-family homes and focusing priority weatherization assistance to the elderly and disabled, families with children and homes that utilize beyond the standard amount of energy. MS is also working with 10 local weatherization groups across the state, highlighting the significance for the groups to control DOE funds through financial contributions to provide further state-wide weatherization support. After demonstrating success with the plan, the state will receive more than $24 million in remaining funds, totaling more than $49 million. Oregon (granted 15,404,894) has implemented a plan to weatherize 4,635 more homes with its Recovery funds, lowering energy expenses for thousands of families statewide. A skilled network of local weatherization groups will be utilized to guide resources toward low-income families, emphasizing on the elderly, disabled and households with children less than six years old. To guarantee sufficient assistance is offered to Native Americans and farm worker populations in the state, individual allotments have provided 3% for the Native American community and 10% for the farm workforce. Once the state has exhibited success from their efforts, they will collect an added $19 million funding development aid, totaling more than $38 million.