0
Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:06 PM
Summary of Bill S 1005
The key provisions of this bill include increasing funding for the WAP to ensure more households can benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. This funding will be used to provide grants to states to administer the program and assist eligible households in weatherizing their homes.
Additionally, the bill seeks to improve the quality of weatherization services by establishing minimum standards for contractors and workers involved in the program. This will help ensure that energy efficiency upgrades are done effectively and safely. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to prioritize the weatherization of homes in areas with high energy costs or high energy burden for low-income households. This will help target resources to those who need it most and maximize the impact of the program. Overall, the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023 aims to enhance the effectiveness and reach of the WAP, ultimately helping low-income households save money on energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and improve the comfort and safety of their homes.
Congressional Summary of S 1005
Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2023
This bill expands the Weatherization Assistance Program of the Department of Energy (DOE). The existing program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. The bill establishes a Weatherization Readiness Fund from which DOE may distribute funds to states for repairing structural defects or hazards of such homes so that weatherization measures may be installed.
In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of funding that may be spent on (1) each home for labor, weatherization materials, and related matter; and (2) renewable energy systems in homes.
The bill also eliminates a prohibition on providing funding for partially weatherized homes that have received assistance within the past 15 years. Instead, the bill applies this prohibition on fully weatherized homes.
