Nevada's Congressional District Three

Titus Highlights Additional $7 Million for Nevada to Weatherize Homes

Program Lowers Energy Bills and Creates Jobs

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Henderson, NV – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District highlighted additional funding today from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for Nevada’s State Weatherization Program.  Through July, Nevada has weatherized nearly 4,000 homes with $37.3 million in Recovery Act funds.  Today’s announcement by the Department of Energy means that the State will receive an additional $7 million through the Recovery Act to build upon this successful program.

“As a result of funds from the Recovery Act, thousands of Nevadans are paying less for their energy bills at a time when saving every dollar counts,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “Investing in weatherizing homes across the state has also helped our hard-hit construction sector, creating jobs in an industry that greatly needs a boost.”

Four high-performing local weatherization agencies in Las Vegas, Reno, Ely, and Carson City have been selected to receive nearly $7 million to install in-home energy monitors, photovoltaic systems, solar water heaters, heat pumps, and residential wind turbines; and to perform deep efficiency retrofits.  The selections were part of nearly $120 million in awards announced nationally to complement and expand existing weatherization programs, drive innovation in the program, and deliver even greater energy bill savings for local families.

Nevada’s efforts are contributing to the success of the program nationwide.  After ramping up last year, the Weatherization Assistance Program is now weatherizing homes at its optimal rate – approximately 25,000 homes per month.  In June, states reported that nearly 31,800 homes were weatherized with Recovery Act funding – the most ever in a month.  This summer alone, more than 80,000 homes will be weatherized across the country.

According to state reports, the Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program supported more than 13,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2010, including more than 80 jobs in Nevada.

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Tags: , , Las Vegas, Recovery and Reinvestment Act