KITCHEN ANNOUNCES ARRA FUNDING TO HELP WEATHERIZE CITY HOMES

            PHILADELPHIA, November 23 — The City of Philadelphia was awarded significant federal stimulus funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which will cut heating bills, lower energy use and create jobs throughout the city, according to state Sen. Shirley Kitchen.

            Specifically, the $29.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding is distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and will be divided between the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) ($15.9 million) and the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) ($13.9 million).

            Kitchen today joined Mayor Michael Nutter and other officials to announce the funding at the home of Juanita Miller in North Philadelphia. Miller was approved for energy efficiency improvements through the Weatherization Assistance Program. Her home is undergoing numerous improvements, including pipe replacements, heater tuning, insulation of water pipes, caulking and window replacements.

            These improvements will help Miller conserve energy and lower her utility bills.

            “Every winter, we hear the same stories about individuals and families who can't afford to pay their heating bills.  Many of these simply don't earn enough income to account for the inevitable rise in heating bills,” said state Senator Shirley M. Kitchen.  “This year, we have more people out of work because of the recession, and this stimulus funding specifies a crucial need to help people stay warm.  It’s a critical investment that will help so many residents protect their houses from the cold and increasing heating costs this winter and for future winters and especially for next year, when the PECO electric rate caps are scheduled to come off.”

            Thanks to the federal stimulus funding, the Weatherization Assistance Program will double the number of homes it annually helps in Philadelphia. That means 4,000 homes will be helped this year, compared to 2,000 homes last year. In addition, the ARRA funding will increase the amount that can be spent weatherizing homes from $2,500 to $6,500, which means homes will get even more improvements.

            The home improvements will result in energy savings for the homeowner of up to 30 40 percent in the first year. 

            Eligible homeowners must be high energy users whose incomes are below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

            Additionally, the ECA expects to train at least 200 weatherization workers in the next year and the PHDC has contracted with 25 additional contractors creating approximately 75 additional weatherization jobs. 

            “These organizations are doing a tremendous job helping our most vulnerable citizens take the steps they need to keep their homes warm and their bills in check,” said Kitchen, who coordinates with the ECA for her free community weatherization workshops every winter. “The stimulus funding will not only help the economy, but it will help those in need during the coldest months. This funding could not have come at a better time.”

            Kitchen is an ongoing advocate of energy conservation and independence. Her legislation (Senate Bill 21) would create the Green Work Force Training Program, which would promote job training related to energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. This program would increase energy efficiency and energy independence in Pennsylvania, while investing in our economy by training employees in cutting-edge industries.

 Back to PaSenate.com