Spotlight on Energy A strong advocate of energy efficiency, Rep. Welch is the author of legislation—based on the Vermont's successes—creating a national energy efficiency retrofit program. Welch unveiled the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program in Burlington in March 2009 and at a Capitol Hill press conference shortly thereafter. REEP was subsequently incorporated into America’s Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House in June.

"Our nation simply cannot afford an energy policy that leaves us dependent upon depleting resources, beholden to hostile foreign governments and responsible for degrading our environment. We must embrace a new energy future that invests in energy efficiency, develops renewable energy sources and reduces carbon pollution. By meeting the challenge of climate change head-on, we can create green jobs and save money on heating our homes and powering our cars. I will continue to do all I can to help Vermont retain its status as a leader in our new energy economy."

P.S. Click here for my Energy Resources Guide.

Rep. Welch's Recent Work on Energy

Welch calls for full funding of LIHEAP program

November 23, 2010

As winter comes to Vermont, Rep. Peter Welch is leading the charge in the U.S. House to fully fund the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader John Boehner and leaders of the House Appropriations Committee, Welch and more than 40 colleagues are calling for LIHEAP to receive at least $5.1 billion in funding this yea... Read More

Vermont Harvests 6th Largest Share Of New Rural Renewable Energy Grants And Loans

November 9, 2010

Vermont's Congressional Delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Congressman Peter Welch (D) – reported Tuesday that 18 Vermont farms and rural businesses will share $3,750,930 in grants and loans to support energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. The loans and grants are being made through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Th... Read More

The Commons: "Welch touts remedies for local businesses during downtown tour"

September 22, 2010

Brattleboro may have a vibrant downtown economy, but more can be done to help local businesses stay competitive with big box stores and online retailers.

That was the message that U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., brought to town on Monday during a one-hour tour of several downtown merchants, accompanied by local government and business leaders.

The go... Read More

St. Albans Messenger: "Welch's Downtown Tour Hits Key Business Issues"

September 18, 2010

To view this article, please click here.... Read More

Burlington Free Press: "Vermont's clean energy efforts get $140 million boost"

September 17, 2010

The three members of Vermont's congressional delegation say the state's clean energy efforts have been given a $140 million boost from federal recovery money.

Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch say the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is creating jobs, upgrading the energy infrastructure and laying the groundwork for future economic development.

... Read More

• September 16, 2010 — Welch supports, House passes bill to create jobs and boost energy efficiency in rural areas

• September 16, 2010 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch Announce Report Detailing Recovery Act Energy Investments in Vermont

• September 14, 2010 — Times Argus: "Northern Power Systems in Barre lands $620,000 federal wind turbine grant"

• September 13, 2010 — Energy Grant for Barre Wind Turbine Maker

• August 27, 2010 — Vermont Receives $5.7 Million For Local Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Efforts

• August 27, 2010 — Bennington Banner: "Welch tours proposed power facility site"

• August 27, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Winhall Community Center"

• August 27, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Pownal Solar Site"

• August 19, 2010 — Vermont Agencies Share $4.7 Million for Energy Efficiency

• August 3, 2010 — Times Argus: "Welch bill plugs loophole giving tax benefit from oil spill"

• August 2, 2010 — Welch provisions included in oil drilling safety legislation passed Friday

• July 28, 2010 — Welch’s Home Star program included in Senate energy bill

• July 14, 2010 — Times Argus: "Rep. Peter Welch pushes energy program for building owners"

• July 14, 2010 — WCAX: "Welch pushes weatherization plan"

• July 13, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont seeks to leverage success in weatherization numbers"

• July 13, 2010 — At Barre hardware store, Welch introduces new Building Star legislation

• July 12, 2010 — Roll Call: "Welch & Merkley: Bill Creates Jobs and Helps the Environment"

• July 10, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch pushes for clean energy bills"

• July 9, 2010 — Welch calls on Congress to invest in Vermont’s growing clean energy economy

• July 9, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Kaytec on energy tour"

• July 9, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Draker Labs on enegry tour"

• July 9, 2010 — Video: "Rep. Welch calls for energy efficiency revolution at Draker Labs in Burlington"

• July 8, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Husky Injection Molding Systems on energy tour"

• July 8, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch visits Biotek Instruments on energy tour"

• June 25, 2010 — Holding BP Accountable

• June 17, 2010 — Welch grills Tony Hayward about BP safety record

• June 17, 2010 — Video: Rep. Welch delivers opening statement at BP CEO Tony Hayward hearing

• June 16, 2010 — Video: Reps. Welch and Markey respond to BP's decision to halt dividend payment

• June 16, 2010 — Welch statement on BP announcement

• June 15, 2010 — At BP hearing, Welch questions oil executives about taxpayer subsidies

• June 15, 2010 — Welch and 31 House members call on BP to direct dividends to escrow account

• June 14, 2010 — Rutland Project Wins $4.5 Million Energy Grant

• June 14, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "County agency gets $4.5M for energy retrofits"

• June 10, 2010 — As House supports Gulf funding, Welch reiterates call for BP to put response before profits

• June 10, 2010 — As House supports Gulf funding, Welch reiterates call for BP to put response before profits

• June 8, 2010 — Welch calls on BP to suspend dividend payments and marketing campaigns

• June 8, 2010 — Video: Rep. Welch calls on BP to put progress before profits

• June 8, 2010 — Video: Welch calls on BP to suspend dividend payments and marketing campaigns

• May 17, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Welch adverse to Wall Street inflation of oil"

• May 14, 2010 — At Rutland gas station, Welch calls for energy speculation crackdown

• May 12, 2010 — Welch grills BP president about oil rig safety, calls for full compensation to those affected by the Gulf spill

• May 12, 2010 — Video: Welch visits BP oil spill with bipartisan delegation

• May 12, 2010 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch delivers opening statement at Gulf spill hearing

• May 12, 2010 — Video: Welch questions leaders of BP, Transocean and Halliburton at Gulf spill hearing

• May 8, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch visits oil spill site in Gulf"

• May 7, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch's Photos from the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill"

• May 6, 2010 — House passes Welch’s bipartisan, job-creating Home Star bill

• May 6, 2010 — Associated Press: "Home renovators alert: House passes Caulkers bill"

• May 6, 2010 — Video: Ahead of vote, Rep. Welch backs Home Star bill on House floor

• May 6, 2010 — Video: House passes Welchs bipartisan, job-creating Home Star bill

• May 5, 2010 — Welch’s Home Star bill gathers momentum ahead of Thursday vote

• May 4, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Welch drums up support for his energy efficiency bill"

• May 3, 2010 — As House vote approaches, Welch highlights Vermont job-creating potential of Home Star at Springfield factory

• May 3, 2010 — Bennington Banner: "Welch: Home Star bill will boost firms"

• May 3, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch Highlights Homestar Energy Retrofit Act at JELD-WEN Inc"

• April 28, 2010 — Video: Rep. Welch questions oil refinery official about industry subsidies

• April 24, 2010 — National Journal: "Charging the Backup Generators"

• April 17, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch participates in Geothermal Energy Roundtable"

• April 15, 2010 — In bipartisan vote, Energy and Commerce Committee passes Welch Home Star bill

• April 14, 2010 — Welch, Markey and bipartisan group introduce Home Star Energy Retrofit Act

• April 5, 2010 — Welch announces $450,000 in funding for Smart Grid program at Vermont Law School

• April 5, 2010 — Photo Album: "Welch announces $450,000 in funding for Smart Grid program at Vermont Law School"

• March 24, 2010 — Welch Home Star proposal advances at Energy and Environment hearing

• March 18, 2010 — At Home Star hearing, Welch cites job-creating potential of energy efficiency retrofits

• March 18, 2010 — Welch cites Home Star’s ‘transformative potential’ at Energy and Commerce hearing today

• March 16, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Rep. Welch promotes bill to save energy"

• March 15, 2010 — Welch touts Home Star efficiency program at Williston house

• March 11, 2010 — Rutland Herald: "Rep. Welch decries GOP stalling tactics"

• March 11, 2010 — Op-ed: "Create new jobs and save the planet"

• March 1, 2010 — Climate Wire: "Vt. lawmaker makes his office a model of efficiency"

• February 26, 2010 — Welch unveils new green office measures

• February 13, 2010 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch Hail Vilsack’s OK Of USDA Loan For Northeast Kingdom Biomass Venture

• January 26, 2010 — Welch energy efficiency retrofit initiative included in Senate jobs bill

• January 20, 2010 — Vermont Delegation Seeks More Home Heating Help

• January 13, 2010 — Vermont Receives $3.7 Million in LIHEAP Home Heating Funds

• January 8, 2010 — GE in Rutland Wins $12 Million Clean Energy Stimulus

• January 7, 2010 — Vermont Delegation Urges President Obama to Release Emergency Home Heating Funds

• January 6, 2010 — Vermont Green Jobs Training Awarded $5 Million

• January 2, 2010 — Boston Globe: "‘Cash for caulkers’ - a boon for energy and the economy"

• December 16, 2009 — Los Angeles Times: "Obama pushes home improvement to create jobs, save energy"

• December 16, 2009 — Associated Press: "Obama promotes home energy-efficiency spending"

• December 15, 2009 — Video: Obama praises Welch work on efficiency, Part 1

• December 15, 2009 — Video: Obama praises Welch work on efficiency, Part 2

• December 15, 2009 — Obama singles out Welch’s work on energy efficiency at jobs event in Virginia

• December 9, 2009 — Bennington Banner: "President’s strategy includes Vt. ingenuity"

• December 9, 2009 — Washington Post: "Obama lays out strategy for jobs"

• December 9, 2009 — Bloomberg News: "Obama’s ‘Cash for Caulkers’ May Help Insulation Sales, Dow Says"

• December 9, 2009 — The Hill: "House to move on jobs legislation this year"

• December 8, 2009 — Obama taps Welch energy efficiency program for new jobs plan

• December 7, 2009 — Welch reiterates call for national energy efficiency jobs program

• December 2, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch calls for job creation through energy retrofits

• December 2, 2009 — Vermont Receives $536,400 for Energy Efficient Appliance Rebates

• December 1, 2009 — NRG Systems’ Jan Blittersdorf to participate in White House jobs forum Thursday

• November 19, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch seeks weatherization project"

• November 19, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "A boost for buttoning up"

• November 18, 2009 — Welch calls on Obama to implement national energy efficiency jobs program

• November 18, 2009 — Delegation: Green Jobs for Vermont

• October 28, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "State wins $69 million 'smart grid' grant"

• October 24, 2009 — Welch statement on International Day of Climate Action

• October 23, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes legislation to promote solar technology

• October 19, 2009 — Vice President Biden’s energy efficiency plan embraces Welch retrofit initiative

• September 22, 2009 — Vermont receives $19.4 million in energy efficiency, weatherization and renewable energy funding

• September 16, 2009 — Seven Days: "The Man of the House: Peter Welch"

• September 15, 2009 — Welch leads initiative to make federal government more energy efficient

• June 30, 2009 — Welch supports, House committee passes historic climate change bill

• June 26, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch backs comprehensive energy bill

• June 26, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch speaks in favor of climate change bill

• June 17, 2009 — Welch, Markey and Van Hollen introduce bill to ease gas prices

• June 15, 2009 — Welch announces $114,000 grant for Winooski’s O’Brien Community Center

• June 9, 2009 — Welch supports, House passes ‘Cash for Clunkers’ bill

• June 8, 2009 — Welch efficiency program included in Senate energy bill

• May 21, 2009 — Welch energy efficiency program funded in latest climate change bill draft

• May 20, 2009 — Welch amends climate bill to establish national efficiency target

• May 14, 2009 — House passes Welch-amended green school modernization bill

• April 28, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch questions Al Gore on climate change

• April 24, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch questions panel on energy efficiency

• April 22, 2009 — Welch addresses Earth Day news conference with Speaker Pelosi

• April 21, 2009 — Vermonter to testify before House Committee on Energy and Commerce

• April 6, 2009 — Welch seeks funding for 29 Vermont projects

• March 31, 2009 — Welch energy efficiency bill included in House climate initiative

• March 26, 2009 — Welch announces energy efficiency program to retrofit millions of homes and buildings

• March 24, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch announces energy efficiency program

• March 16, 2009 — Welch proposes national energy efficiency program to retrofit millions of homes and buildings

• March 12, 2009 — Vermont receives $38 million for efficiency programs

• February 27, 2009 — Welch outlines stimulus bill’s impact on Vermont’s green economy Friday in White River Junction

• February 25, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch reacts to Obama's address to Congress

• February 24, 2009 — Welch hails the work of Efficiency Vermont at House climate change hearing Tuesday

• February 24, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch on Vermont's Energy Efficiency Successes

• February 12, 2009 — Video: Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) speaks at Climate Crisis hearing

• January 27, 2009 — Welch named founding vice chairman of energy and environment caucus

• January 26, 2009 — Welch hails Obama embrace of California-Vermont air quality waiver

• January 22, 2009 — Welch efficiency amendment to stimulus bill clears Energy and Commerce committee

• January 15, 2009 — Welch reacts to release of economic stimulus details

• January 8, 2009 — Welch named to three Energy and Commerce subcommittees

• January 6, 2009 — Welch appointed to influential Energy and Commerce Committee

• September 26, 2008 — Welch votes to expand tax incentives for renewable energy

• September 24, 2008 — Major Victory on Home Energy Assistance Clears House

• September 22, 2008 — LIHEAP Remains In The Mix As Congressional Session Winds Down

• September 18, 2008 — Oil speculation bill passes House

• September 17, 2008 — Vermont To Receive $2.4 Million More For Home Heating Relief

• September 16, 2008 — Welch statement on comprehensive energy bill, funds renewables and rolls back tax breaks for big oil

• July 31, 2008 — Welch renews call to use oil profits to fund heating assistance

• July 30, 2008 — Anti-speculation bill blocked in House

• July 28, 2008 — Op-ed: "Our mission for a new energy future"

• July 11, 2008 — Welch calls on President Bush to release oil from SPR to address fuel cost emergency

• June 26, 2008 — Welch supports and House passes anti-speculation bill; Welch amends transit bill to help green bus fleets

• June 5, 2008 — Local school construction aid passes House, Welch amendment allows funding for investment in renewable energy systems

• May 21, 2008 — Welch votes to expand tax incentives for renewable energy

• May 20, 2008 — Welch reacts to new evidence of political interference in EPA auto waiver decision

• May 18, 2008 — Welch gas prices bill sent to president; Vt. Congressman urges signature

• May 16, 2008 — Department of Energy will suspend filling oil reserve following passage of Welch-led bill

• May 13, 2008 — House poised to vote on Welch bill to lower fuel prices

• May 13, 2008 — Welch’s bill to reduce fuel prices passes House

• May 13, 2008 — Welch's bill to reduce fuel prices passes House

• April 29, 2008 — Welch calls Bush ‘out of touch’ on gas prices

• April 28, 2008 — Pelosi calls on Bush to end shipments to oil reserve, bolstering Welch-led gas prices initiative

• April 22, 2008 — For Earth Day, Welch pledges to continue fighting for new energy policy

• April 9, 2008 — Markey, Emanuel, Welch to president on oil: make it stop

• March 6, 2008 — Welch leads on bill to overturn EPA decision on Calif. auto standards waiver

• February 27, 2008 — Welch supports, House passes end to tax breaks for big oil, funds renewables

• February 22, 2008 — Delegation announces $1.3 million for Vermont home heating assistance

• February 19, 2008 — Welch offers proposal to cut gas prices

• January 28, 2008 — Welch responds to President Bush’s “State of the Union” address

• January 16, 2008 — Delegation announces $3.9 million for Vermont home heating assistance

• December 18, 2007 — Congress passes energy bill with historic auto standards increase

• December 6, 2007 — Welch hails passage of historic energy bill

• December 4, 2007 — Sanders, Leahy, Welch Propose $1 Billion for Home Heating Aid

• November 8, 2007 — Congress deals Bush first veto override

• November 6, 2007 — House deals Bush first veto override

• November 1, 2007 — Welch bill shuts ‘Enron Loophole’ inflating heating fuel bills

• September 27, 2007 — Trio of Welch amendments pass the House

• September 26, 2007 — Vermont Delegation Announces Heating Assistance

• September 20, 2007 — Welch leads congressional effort on auto standards, citing guidance of Vermont court case

• September 6, 2007 — Welch introduces nuclear power plant safety bill, calls for independent safety assessments

• September 4, 2007 — Statement on Green Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2007

• August 23, 2007 — Cong. Delegation Requests Thorough Investigation Into Vermont Yankee Cooling Tower Collapse

• August 4, 2007 — Welch secures carbon offset victory in House energy bill

• June 21, 2007 — Welch joins Pelosi, congressional leaders to announce carbon neutral U.S. Capitol

• June 15, 2007 — Welch rallies congressional effort to block federal preemption on auto emissions

• June 7, 2007 — Welch opposed to federal preemption on emissions

• June 5, 2007 — Cong. Delegation Lauds Vt's Energy Efficiency Programs Earning State Top Ranking in National Report

• May 30, 2007 — Colorado Rep joins Welch by becoming carbon neutral

• May 11, 2007 — Welch amends small business bill to support ‘green’ business

• May 8, 2007 — Welch advocates for legislation to address rising gas prices

• April 23, 2007 — PELOSI RELEASE - Congressman Welch Leads the Way in ‘Greening’ the Capitol

• April 20, 2007 — Welch successful in amending bill to modernize over 20 year-old Army Corps review process

• April 14, 2007 — Welch proud of Vermont’s role in national Step It Up activism

• April 2, 2007 — Welch kicks off energy tour

• April 2, 2007 — Welch reacts to Supreme Court ruling on C02

• March 23, 2007 — House votes to impose date certain to end Iraq war

• March 20, 2007 — Welch encourages restoring local EPA funding from Bush cuts

• March 19, 2007 — Welch seeks to advance carbon neutrality legislation

• February 5, 2007 — Welch announces 'carbon neutral' congressional office

• January 30, 2007 — Statement from Rep. Welch: Political Interference With Global Warming Science

• January 18, 2007 — Welch backs Act ending oil subsidies to fund renewable energy