- Recovery funds will create jobs, help move America towards energy independence -

 

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) announced today that New York will receive more than $517 million for weatherization funding and energy efficiency grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

 

"Investment in home weatherization is good economic policy, good energy policy, good national security policy, and good fiscal policy," said Congressman Hall. "We're saving energy costs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating 'green-collar' jobs."

 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, New York will receive $394,686,513 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $123,110,000 for the State Energy Program. In total, the State of New York will be getting $517,796,513 in weatherization funds from the Recovery Package that Rep. John Hall helped pass.

 

"Weatherized homes use less fuel, which is good for both our environment and our national security," said Hall. "The stimulus effect of weatherization is two-fold.  First, it reduces heating bills for low-income people, giving them more money to spend each month on other things which will stimulate the economy. Second, an increase in weatherization funding will create jobs for contractors who perform the work, retailers who sell the equipment and materials for the job, and also the manufacturers of the materials."

 

The Weatherization Assistance Program allows low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient, reducing heating bills by an average of 32% and overall energy bills by $350 per year. It allows an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades and will be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – or about $44,000 a year for a family of four. Based on 2007 Census data, at least 115,300 individuals in New York's 19th district make up to 200% of the federal poverty level. More information about this program can be found here: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/about.cfm.

 

The State Energy Program funding will be available for rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements; development of renewable energy projects for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels; promotion of Energy Star products; efficiency upgrades for state and local government buildings; and other innovative state efforts to help save families money on their energy bills. To learn more about the State Energy Program, click here: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/.

 

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