News

August 26, 2009

$6M will help weather costs

Federal stimulus cash to help 29,000 low-income families in county weatherize homes.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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More than $6 million in federal stimulus money will be coming to Luzerne County to help low-income families cut their home heating and cooling costs.

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Tuesday announced that the department is providing more than $101 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand weatherization assistance programs in Pennsylvania.

Those funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the state meets certain milestones, will help weatherize more than 29,000 homes, cutting energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing pollution and creating green jobs across the state, Chu said.

The funding is being funneled through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

E. Craig Heim, executive director of the department’s Office of Energy Conservation and Weatherization, said the Commission on Economic Opportunity in Luzerne County will receive $6,588,197 – more than three times CEO’s normal $1.8 million annual allocation.

The local funding is expected to pay for weatherization of about 860 housing units.

“This is big stuff … a chance of a lifetime. It’s the first time I’ve seen that we’ve been given enough money to really make an impact,” Heim said.

Weatherization measures include:

• Blower door guided air sealing to locate and reduce air leakage throughout the home.

• Installation of attic, wall, basement and crawlspace insulation and ventilation to reduce energy loss.

• Heating system modification or replacement to increase the efficiency and/or safety of the heating system.

• Minor repairs and/or health and safety measures are provided (when necessary) to allow the safe and effective installation of the weatherization measures.

• Client education on the proper use and maintenance of the installed weatherization measures and ways to reduce energy waste every day.

Heim said Pennsylvania will receive $252 million for weatherization projects if the state meets federal milestones for appropriately using the initial allocation. Only half the money is being released to agencies, such as CEO, that offer weatherization programs. Allocations could increase or decrease to an agency depending on how effectively it expends the initial funds.

“You’re fortunate to have one of the most productive agencies in your area,” Heim said of CEO. “It’s one of the best in the state.”

Gene Brady, executive director of CEO, did not return a call seeking comment.

WEATHERIZATION QUALIFICATIONS

Individuals or families must have an income lower than twice the federal poverty level to qualify for participation in CEO’s weatherization program.

Here are the income limits based on the number of household members:

1 – $21,660

2 – $29,140

3 – $36,620

4 – $44,100

Add $7,480 for each additional family member.

Priority for participation is given to higher-risk residents such as the elderly, disabled individuals, families with children and high-energy users. For information, call CEO at 829-1665 or toll free at (800) 822-0359.

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7311.

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