SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES OVER $49 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING COMING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today that New Hampshire will receive $49,045,594 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for weatherization and energy efficiency. The funding includes $23,218,594 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $25,827,000 for the State Energy Program.

 

“Investing in weatherization and energy efficiency will help our economy in the short-term by creating jobs, and New Hampshire families will enjoy long-term benefits through decreased energy costs and higher home values,” said Shaheen. “I have supported weatherization and energy efficiency throughout my career, and I’m glad this important funding is coming to New Hampshire quickly to help get our economy moving again.”

 

Shaheen is a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and has long championed weatherization and energy efficiency efforts. When she was Governor, New Hampshire improved energy efficiency in state buildings, saving the state several million dollars a year in energy costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by millions of pounds per year. She also helped enact energy efficiency programs for residential, commercial and industrial users that have saved New Hampshire families and businesses almost $400 million and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by millions of tons since June 2002.

 

“The Weatherization Stimulus funds will allow us to weatherize a good share of the 1,500 homes that we have on the waiting list,” said CEO of Southwestern Community Services Bill Marcello.”The low-income homes we weatherize will become much more energy efficient, and we will be able to create job opportunities for folks in the construction trades. We are pleased Senator Shaheen supports this program.”

 

The Weatherization Assistance Program allows families that make up to 200% of the federal poverty level to invest up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades. The State Energy Program provides funding for numerous energy efficiency efforts, such as: 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.

 

A White House press release announcing this funding follows:

 

 

White House

Office of Media Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 12, 2009

 

Obama-Biden Administration Announces More Than $49 Million in Weatherization Funding and Energy Efficiency Grants for New Hampshire

 

Part of nearly $8 billion in Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency efforts nationwide that will create 100,000 jobs and cut energy bills for families

 

Washington DC -- Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Chu today announced New Hampshire will receive $49,045,594 in weatherization and energy efficiency funding – including $23,218,594 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $25,827,000 for the State Energy Program.  This is part of a nationwide investment announced today of nearly $8 billion under the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – an investment that will put approximately 87,000 Americans to work.

 

“This energy efficiency funding for states is an important investment in making America more energy independent, creating a cleaner economy and creating more jobs for the 21st century that can’t be outsourced,” said Vice President Biden.

 

The funding will support weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment, which will pay for itself many times over.

 

“Even as we seize the enormous potential of clean energy sources like wind and solar, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act makes a major investment in energy efficiency, which is the most cost effective route to energy independence,” Chu said.

 

The Weatherization Assistance Program will allow 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.

 

 

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.

 

The DOE’s 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 hundreds of dollars per year.

 

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