WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Washington state will receive over $120 million in state and local weatherization and energy efficiency efforts as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With an investment of approximately $59 million through the Weatherization Assistance Program and over $60 million for the State Energy Program, the Department of Energy will partner with state and local governments to create jobs and save families money on their energy bills.

 

“This is a major investment toward creating jobs in Washington state and saving Washington families money on their energy bills,” said Cantwell. “As we continue looking for ways to move our country toward a clean energy future, families can be leaders by making energy efficient improvements to their homes, which will save hundreds of dollars in the long-run and create hundreds of jobs.”

 

The Department of Energy will release the first installment of funding over the next few days, and will release additional funding over time as states demonstrate that they are using the funding effectively and responsibly.

 

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 percent and overall energy bills by hundreds of dollars per year. It 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 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 on their energy bills.

 

 

 

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