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For Immediate Release
August 4, 2007 |
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House Accepts Shays’
Amendment to Help Low-Income Families Permanently Reduce Energy
Costs
Washington, D.C. – The House today accepted an amendment
offered by Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) to enable
low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills
by making their homes more energy efficient.
Shays’ amendment to H.R. 3221, the New Direction for
Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection
Act, which passed the House this afternoon by a vote of 241-172,
doubles the authorization funds requested for the Department
of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. It is
the country's longest running energy efficiency program.
“I am grateful the House Committee on Rules made this
amendment in order, and the House passed it without opposition,”
said Shays. “This amendment allows low-income families
to permanently reduce their energy costs through weatherization
assistance provided by the Department of Energy. Most of these
improvements are beyond the financial means of these families,
yet can save them hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.”
Watch
Shays' Amendment Speech to the Energy Bill (08/04/07)
During the last 30 years, Weatherization Assistance Program
has provided weatherization services to more than 5.5 million
low-income families. Through this program, weatherization
service providers install energy efficiency measures in the
homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. The average
expenditure limit is $2,826 per home.
Shays’ amendment would reauthorize the Weatherization
Assistance Program to $1.2 billion for 2007 and $1.4 billion
in 2008 through 2012. The program is currently authorized
at $600 million for FY07 and $700 million for FY08.
Funding for low-income weatherization comes from several sources
and represents a partnership of both public and private organizations.
The largest contribution has come from the Department of Energy.
The second largest source is LIHEAP, followed by gas and electric
companies, and legal penalties assessed against oil companies.
The Department of Energy works directly with the states,
the District of Columbia, and Native American Tribal Governments
to implement weatherization measures. These agencies contract
with local governmental or nonprofit agencies to deliver weatherization
services to low-income clients in their areas. Funding is
allocated for both weatherizing individual homes and for the
training and development of local technicians.
Contact: John Cardarelli, 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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