Obama's First Weekly Address: Weatherization Assistance Program to Receive Aid
Weatherization Program One of Many to Get Funding Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan
On its website, the Department of Energy explains that the current weatherization program is only allotted a set amount of funding each year, and this can result in approved families being put on a waiting list. According to a Weatherization program statement of April 2008, the waiting list was approximately 2 years. Currently, the qualifying income limits vary by state, but are generally 125% or 150% below poverty level.
The current estimated expenditure per approved home is $2500. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan proclaims 'at least 2 million homes' will be weatherized, while President Obama declared in his weekly address that it would be 2.5 million homes. This is nearly half the number of families (5.6 million) the agency has helped over the course of 30 years. Presumably, those families already on the 2-year waiting list will be served first. Estimates from the Department of Energy are that each assisted family saves an average of $358 annually in overall utility bills.
At a published average cost of $2500 per home that is weatherized under the current program, the bill for the level of assistance proposed by the package will total somewhere between $5 billion to $6.25 billion. The plan calls for 75% of the complete Recovery and Reinvestment package to be 'spent out' within 18 months after its passage.
Sources:
President Obama delivers Your Weekly Address. January 24, 2009.
The White House - Briefing Room - The White House Blog
(Transcript and Video)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/president-obama-delivers-your-weekly-address/
Recovery Plan Metrics Report (PDF)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/Documents/Recovery_Plan_Metrics_Report_508.pdf
Written Weatherization Assistance Program Information Statement - Signed Florence Preslar, Weatherization Assistant. Mailed April 28, 2008
How Do I Apply for Weatherization? / Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Weatherization Assistance Program
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/apply.cfm
Weatherization Assistance Program
U.S.Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Published by Daniella Nicole
Syndicated blogger for The Fritch Show. Writer of web content, reviews, multiple showcased & featured articles, blogs, more. Published contributing author. Contributing editor. Niches: dating, relationships,... View profile
- Ohio HEAP ProgramWinter in Ohio can be very cold. Heating prices continue to soar while the income stays the same. Ohio has a HEAP program that people can utilize to get help with their heating costs.
Beating the Heating or Eating Chanllenge in Northeast IowaIts hard out here for a pensioner- Does Welfare Work? Why the System Has Failed America's PoorProvides a detailed look at low-income programs and how they have failed to truly assist low-income families.
- Local Political ActivismThis is an opus that I wrote to our City of Saginaw leaders on the verge of a key vote that will decide how to spend federal urban aid.
- Poverty Level in the U. SLiving wage, Minimum Wage, federal programs for assistance
- Home Insulation
- HEAP: Federal Government Helps Low Income With Heating Costs
- Colorado Resources That Help Pay Heating Bills
- Energy Assistance Programs in Montana
- Find Assistance in North Texas for Electric Bills
- How the LIHEAP Program Can Help You!
- Help with Energy Bills and Utility Assistance for Low Income Massachusetts Residents
- As of April 2008, the Weatherization Assistance waiting list was approximately 2 years
- Under the new plan, presumably those already on the waiting list will be served first
- The average $2500 investment per home weatherization equals about $358 yearly in utility savings