Maine to Begin Expanded Federal Weatherization Program

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), Maine will be the first state to begin using $6.4 million in federal 2009-2010 DOE funds to weatherize homes in January. The early start to getting additional funding out will complement the State's comprehensive efforts to help Mainers deal with heating costs and conserve energy during difficult economic times. Maine's increased funding level for weatherization is more than double the amount received during the previous funding cycle. The Weatherization Program finances basic improvements to the homes of low-income households to make them more energy efficient. The typical weatherization project will reduce the home's energy needs by 20 to 30 percent, according to officials from MaineHousing, the agency running the DOE program. According to the DOE, the Weatherization Program creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for each $1 million invested in weatherization work. Since 2008 the Maine State Housing Authority has trained 320 new energy auditors and 95 weatherization technicians. In addition to DOE weatherization, MaineHousing has allocated $7 million of the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for weatherization. That funding will make about 1,900 homes more energy efficient. LIHEAP is funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. For more information on the Weatherization Program and other Maine State Housing Authority programs, click here. For a comprehensive list of energy information and assistance, click here. email from Representative David Cotta