Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) Director Lloyd Throne announced last month that California is one of 15 states that will shortly receive an additional 40 percent ($74,324,424) of its total funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program.
“This stimulus money will directly benefit 50,000 low-income California households with weatherization services designed to increase energy efficiency and save money on utility bills. It also creates good jobs with weather stripping, caulking, insulation, and other measures designed to promote energy efficiency,” said Throne. “We have worked around the clock to submit this plan and bring funding into California quickly and in a responsible manner. We are very proud that we will be one of the first 15 states to receive this federal funding.”
The California DOE ARRA State Plan, described, along with the other 14 state plans, by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, as “aggressive and innovative” details how CSD’s statewide network of over 50 nonprofits, local governments, and community action agencies will perform weatherization services on more than 50,000 Californian homes. The state plan includes collaborations with the California Conservation Corps, Youthbuild and other youth employment groups and, to ensure quality, makes use of a third party inspection program. After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan, the state will receive more than $92 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $185 million.
Weatherization measures include: weatherstripping, caulking, insulation, and other measures designed to promote energy efficiency and reduce utility costs. Eligible households (earning 75 percent of state median income or less) can apply to a local energy provider (a list of providers with contact information can be found on www.csd.ca.gov) or can call the toll free number 1-866-675-6623 for a provider in their area.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization program has a national goal of weatherizing more than 165,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low income families, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating green jobs across the country.
Source: CA CSD
