Capps Applauds More Than $400 million in Weatherization Funding and Energy Efficiency Grants for California

Part of Nearly $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for Energy Efficiency Efforts Nationwide that will Create Thousands of Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Families, Schools, and Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 13, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Lois Capps today announced that California will receive $411,904,061 in weatherization and energy efficiency funding – including $185,811,061 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $226,093,000 million for the State Energy Program. This is part of a nationwide investment announced today of nearly $8 billion under the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – an investment that will put thousands of Americans to work.

“This funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for energy efficiency and weatherization projects is another win-win-win,” said Capps. “It’s a win for tax payers who can rest assured that their tax dollars are being well spent, it’s a win for our local economy with projects that will save and create jobs, and it’s a win for our environment as families, businesses, schools and other government buildings improve their energy efficiency. These funds to improve energy efficiency are a smart investment in our economic future and a significant down payment in our effort to become energy independent. This is yet another example of how our recently enacted economic legislation is aiding our economy’s recovery while additionally reinvesting in priorities that will make our communities and our country stronger.”

The funding will support weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment, which will pay for itself many times over.

The Weatherization Assistance Program 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 a year 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 money on their energy bills.

The Department of Energy’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% and overall energy bills by hundreds of dollars per year.