Survey Shows 2005 WAP Funding and Production

A recent national survey reports nearly $651.5 million was available during Program Year 2005 to operate the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), an increase of 8.7 percent over PY 2004 funding of $599.2 million.

The National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) surveyed the 50 states and the District of Columbia and tallied the amount of funds each received from the following sources: the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) WAP, LIHEAP grant set-asides, settlements from Petroleum Violation Escrow cases (PVE), and “Other” funds from utility companies, states, and property owner contributions. During 2005, DOE funds amounted to 35.7 percent of the total, LIHEAP funds 36.3 percent, “Other” funds 27 percent, and PVE funds less than 1 percent.

Funds in the “Other” category have steadily increased and reached a fifteen-year high in PY 2005 with approximately $175.8 million for WAP activities. NASCSP said the growth of this funding source has been achieved through “painstaking intervention in electric and gas restructuring by state and local entities, the implementation of landlord participation programs within the states, and developing relationships with other state offices to locate companion funds to offset WAP activities.” In many states, the intervention of experts in rate cases and other hearings resulted in the creation of system benefit programs that included WAP-related initiatives.

The survey results indicate that the network weatherized approximately 171,233 homes during 2005 using all funding sources. The survey results are reported in a summary of 2005 WAP funding and charts showing expenditures back to 1987.

Source: WAPTAC

Page Last Updated: November 28, 2006