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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that the State of Indiana will receive $52,738,953 in stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Program to create jobs, weatherize homes, lower energy costs for low-income families, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Visclosky ensured the program’s inclusion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“Expanding conservation is one of the most effective ways to combat the energy crisis, diminish our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Visclosky. “On top of all that, weatherization efforts create good green jobs. I look forward to seeing these funds put to good use creating jobs and fighting the energy crisis in Northwest Indiana and across the state.”
Indiana will use its Recovery Act funds to weatherize more than 19,700 homes across the state over the next three years. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will administer the program, and provide funding to local organizations to carry out home energy audits and weatherization assistance. These agencies will include community action agencies, non-profit organizations, and local government entities. The state will also use Recovery Act funds to increase its weatherization training and technical assistance capabilities by expanding its partnerships with the Indiana Vocational/Technical College, the Indiana Community Action Association, Inc., and the Environmental Management Institute. IHCDA and its partners will ensure that the state will have a sufficient and capable workforce to carry out home energy audits and weatherization procedures.
Indiana previously received 10 percent of its funding allotment for planning and training purposes, and after demonstrating successful implementation of its plan with this installment of funding, will receive almost $66 million in additional funding, for a total of nearly $132 million. Up to 20 percent of the funds may be used to hire new workers and train them.
DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will be available to families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, 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. |
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