(202) 586-4940                                                                                   Thursday, June 18, 2009

Obama Administration Delivers Nearly $14 Million for Weatherization Programs in Nevada
Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance program, create jobs and weatherize more than 5,500 Nevada homes

COLUMBUS, OHIO – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $14 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in Nevada.  These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help Nevada achieve its goal of weatherizing more than 5,500 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the state. Secretary Chu announced the funding while helping to weatherize a local resident’s home in Columbus with Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

Today’s announcement includes weatherization funding for a total of 15 states: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.  Across the country, the Department of Energy will deliver more than $453 million to help meet these states’ goal of weatherizing more than 165,000 homes.  Funding for Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Oregon was announced previously.

Nevada is receiving 40 percent of its total Recovery Act weatherization funding today following approval of a comprehensive state plan.  This installment adds to the initial 10 percent funding allocation previously awarded to the state for training and ramp-up activities. After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan, the state will receive more than $18.6 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $37 million. Under the Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program, states may spend up to 20 percent of funds to hire and train workers.

“These awards demonstrate the Obama Administration’s strong commitment to moving quickly as part of the country’s economic recovery -- creating jobs and doing important work for the American people -- while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly," said Secretary Chu.  "Today’s investments will save money for hard working families, reduce pollution, strengthen local economies and help move America toward a clean energy future.”

DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will be available to families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level – or about $44,000 a year for a family of four. Weatherization projects allow low-income families to save money by making their homes more energy efficient, which results in average savings of 32 percent for heating bills and savings of hundreds of dollars per year on overall energy bills. States will spend approximately $6,500 to weatherize each home.

Nevada will utilize funding from the Recovery Act to perform weatherization services and also implement job training programs for the energy efficiency industry.  The Nevada Housing Department will facilitate work at more than 5,500 low-income homes by partnering with community action associations based in Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, Carson City, and Ely. The Nevada Housing Division will also expand training to approximately 300 individuals to build a skilled workforce for completing the weatherization work.  The state intends for the training to provide a tiered or career ladder approach that provides opportunities for optional training that would go toward an associate degree in renewable energy. The state also plans to emphasize homeowner education by providing written explanations about the weatherization measures taken and customer satisfaction surveys. 

The Recovery Act includes a strong commitment to oversight and accountability, while emphasizing the necessity of rapidly awarding funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies. 

The funding allocations for the Weatherization Assistance Program follow a stage-gate process: on March 12, funding allocations by state were announced and the initial 10 percent of total funding was available to states and territories to support planning and ramp-up activities; comprehensive state applications were due May 12; following DOE reviews for each state, 40 percent allocations are awarded; and the remaining 50% of funds will be released when states meet reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act.