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Rahall Announces $70M for Weatherization and Energy Efficiency in West Virginia 

3/12/2009 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), today announced the availability of $70,329,874 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in weatherization and energy efficiency funding through the Department of Energy (DOE).

 

"In southern West Virginia, winter temperatures drop well below freezing each year,” said Rahall. “This funding will support the weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment, which will pay for itself many times over.”

 

These funds include $37,583,874 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $32, 746,000 for the State Energy Program. 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.

 

“Funding like this puts people back to work in their local communities, making improvements and investments right here at home where it matters most,” said Rahall.

Rachael Berkey