Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program

Publication Date: July 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Energy

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Abstract:

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is one of the largest energy conservation programs in the nation. The DOE program is implemented in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Native American Tribes. It weatherizes an average of 70,000 dwellings per year. The program strives to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by low-income persons in order to reduce their energy consumption and lower their fuel bills. It targets vulnerable groups including the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with children.

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a formula grant program in which funding flows from the federal government to state governments and then to local weatherization agencies. The program is authorized under Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (P.L. 94-385, as amended) but has been operating without an appropriations authorization since 1990. Through the general appropriations process, Congress has continued to provide annual grants to support weatherization activities.

For FY2002, $230 million was appropriated for the Weatherization Assistance Program. This was $43 million below the Bush Administration's FY2002 request of $273 million, and short of the President's goal to increase DOE's WAP spending by $1.4 billion over the next 10 years. On February 4, 2002, the Administration issued its budget request for FY2003. The request included $277 million for weatherization grants. This amount represents a 20% increase above last years appropriation. This report provides background on WAP and will be updated to reflect changes in legislation or funding.