Udall, Bennet: Economic Recovery Package to Deliver Additional $128 Million For Colorado’s Weatherization and State Energy Programs
Funds Will Go To Weatherize Homes, Create Jobs and Save Colorado Residents Hundreds of Dollars Each Year Off Their Utility Bills
Washington, DC – March 13, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet today announced over $128 million for Colorado’s weatherization and state energy programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding will help to jumpstart job creation through weatherization work and save families hundreds of dollars per year on their energy bills.Udall and Bennet’s announcement comes on the heels of today’s Obama administration announcement that it will release the first installment of the energy funding in the next few days, an investment that will create approximately 87,000 jobs nationwide.
“The economic recovery package is supposed to put Americans back to work on worthwhile projects that will have lasting benefits, and that is exactly what this funding does,” Senator Udall said. “Not only will this funding create jobs and help our economy begin to recover, but it will also help Colorado continue to be a leader in developing and implementing a new energy economy based on efficiency and increased use of renewable sources.”
“This money will create more jobs for Colorado, boost energy efficiency statewide and save hundreds of dollars for Colorado families. The economic recovery package is being put to work and I pledge to continue to fight to ensure Colorado gets its fair share,” Senator Bennet said.
Udall and Bennet today announced that Colorado will receive an additional $79.5 million for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, and an additional $49.2 million for the state energy program, for a total of over $128.7 million.
The funding will support weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment, which will pay for itself many times over.
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 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. 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.
Contact: Tara Trujillo or Adam Jones at (202)224-5941
