Weatherization Victory

We are delighted that the House and Senate Democrats’ reauthorization bill has exactly what we requested for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

First, the five-year reauthorization of weatherization funding is at levels far above appropriations, despite President Bush's proposal to kill the program.

The reauthorization language includes National Community Action Foundation’s initiative to expand weatherization to include materials, benefits and renewable and domestic energy technologies not already covered by the program. Community Action Agencies across the country have the capacity to deliver this.

It’s time to innovate and be part of the movement to stop greenhouse emissions and climate change while we continue to revitalize low-income communities. As highlighted at the 2007 NCAF Energy Leveraging Conference in November, many of our Community Action Agencies are already experienced in experimenting with solar, wind, biomass and biofuels in their weatherization efforts.

This bill will not become law anytime soon, but this reauthorization language brings us all one step closer to reaching more of the least-efficient, low-income homes with the most sustainable energy upgrades.