Washington, DC - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today announced that the Department of Energy (DoE) will be allocating $124,756,312 in Weatherization Assistance Program funding, and $82,495,000 in State Energy Program Funding.  This is part of a nearly $8 billion nationwide investment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act announced by Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu today.  This funding will support weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks, and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment.

"This money will serve two important purposes: it'll get folks back to work doing jobs that can't be sent overseas, and it'll decrease our dependence on foreign oil, making us safer," said Barrow.

The Weatherization Assistance Program will allow an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades and will be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level - or about $44,000 a year for a family of four.

The State Energy Program funding will be available for rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements; development of renewable energy projects for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels; promotion of Energy Star products; efficiency upgrades for state and local government buildings; and other innovative state efforts to help save families money on their energy bills.

The DoE's Weatherization Assistance Program allows low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient, reducing heating bills by an average of 32% and overall energy bills by hundreds of dollars per year.

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Contact:  Jane Brodsky, (202) 225-2823

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