CRAMER: Weatherization Assistance Program a Successful State and Federal Partnership
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Congressman Kevin Cramer joined federal, state and local partners that administer weatherization programs across North Dakota to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. Today’s event was hosted by the Red River Valley Community Action Program in Grand Forks.
“North Dakota's program is an example of a successful federal, state and local partnership,” said Cramer. “This is a model of how to provide a safety net to the citizens of our communities.”
Cramer said Congress must continue policy discussions on how to model the program so it has both compassion and common sense. “We also need to continue to innovate so this program can unleash better practices at the local and state levels.”
The Weatherization Assistance Program was developed in response to the 1973 oil crisis and signed into law by President Gerald Ford as part of the Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-385). The program’s purpose is “to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential energy expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, the handicapped, and children.”
Cramer is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Weatherization Assistance Program is administered by the Department of Energy, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to help pay energy bills for low-income households, which can include weatherization projects.
North Dakota’s program is coordinated by the state Department of Commerce Division of Community Service. Director Bruce Hagen said between 500 and 600 homes are weatherized in North Dakota each year.
Ray Judy, the energy services director for the National Association for State Services Programs, said 7.4 million homes have been weatherized in the 40 years since the Weatherization Assistance Program began. “The average savings to these homes is $250 to $450 a year.”
“This program has come very far from the early days of putting caulk and plastic over windows,” said Dave Rinebolt, director of the Weatherization Assistance Program at the U.S. Department of Energy. “This program spawned the field of building science research, where new and innovative techniques have been developed and continuously improved.”
David Bradley, director of the National Community Action Foundation, said it is important the Weatherization Assistance Program remain a priority in Congress. “We must also continue to encourage national industry partnerships to advance research and efficiencies in the program.”