Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, held a public oversight hearing to explore the successes, challenges, and innovations of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Committee members heard from weatherization experts at the local, state, and federal levels. The hearing can be viewed here.
WAP works to ensure the health and safety of low-income and middle class households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes and reducing energy costs. Through DOE funding, WAP provides weatherization services to 35,000 homes each year and supports 8,500 jobs. Through weatherization improvements and upgrades, households save on average $283 or more every year. Since the program began in 1976, WAP has helped improve the lives of than 7 million families through weatherization services.
“Today’s oversight hearing could not have come at a more critical time for the tens of thousands of Americans who rely on DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program each year," said Rep. Kaptur. “Last week, it was colder in parts of the Midwest than it was in Antarctica, and if it weren’t for WAP, many low-income and middle-class Americans would not have been able to sufficiently weatherize their homes and keep themselves and their families safe. The WAP mission is about more than helping Americans cut down on the cost of energy, it is about saving lives. Despite misguided attempts to gut the program, WAP has successfully accomplished their vital mission for over 40 years. It is our job to ensure that WAP remains strong for the next 40 years."
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
