Cleveland PR Newswire

Press releases from Ohio companies

Weatherization Day 2009 Gets a Boost from Federal Stimulus Money

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1976, The U.S. Department of
Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been making homes of
low-income families more energy efficient. To highlight the efforts across
the country, Weatherization Day is celebrated every October 30. This year
the program received a substantial boost from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

    One state leading the way in weatherization is Ohio, which plans to use
the $266.8 million ARRA WAP grant to increase the energy efficiency of more
than 32,000 homes. In July alone Ohio weatherized 951 homes, providing such
services as adding insulation, sealing leaks, and modernizing heating and
cooling equipment. With ARRA funding through March 2012, Ohio estimates it
will create 590 new jobs and retain 487.

    In New Mexico, it is estimated that at least 2,300 homes will be
weatherized every year for the next 3 years using the state's $26 million
ARRA WAP funds. Weatherization saves an average of 32% in gas space
heating.

    In recognition of National Weatherization Day, Matt Rogers, Senior
Advisor to Energy Secretary Steven Chu for Recovery Act Implementation,
recorded the following video: http://vimeo.com/7314879. In addition to
encouraging all Americans to install energy efficiency measures in their
own homes, he emphasizes the energy and cost benefits of improved energy
efficiency and he expresses appreciation to the nation's weatherization
network for its past accomplishments and its continued commitment to
serving low-income citizens. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act, the Weatherization Assistance Program will continue to grow and
deliver results for American families across the country.

    WAP was awarded $5 billion through the 2009 ARRA. To participate,
homeowners must have a maximum income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level,
and can use up to $6,500 for energy efficiency upgrades to their home.

    The Weatherization Assistance Program is operated in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Native American tribes, and U.S. Territories. Funds
are used to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes using the
most advanced technologies and testing. Since the inception of the WAP,
over 6.2 million homes have been weatherized with DOE funds.

    For more information about the Weatherization Assistance Program, visit
http://www.waptac.org or http://www.eere.doe.gov.



    Contact:

    Rebecca Stewart
    (202) 624-7887
    rstewart@nascsp.org
    This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com.