Maryland Governor on Home Weatherization Program Expansion

Announcement includes weatherization projects among the first among the first in the nation funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

SILVER SPRING, MD (June 18, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and other officials to formally announce Maryland’s first steps in expanding its home weatherization program, designed to benefit thousands of low-income families throughout the state. The Governor participated in a home energy efficiency audit at the home of Richard and Sonja Lowery in Silver Spring.

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“As families throughout Maryland struggle to pay their energy bills, we are able to take significant steps to reduce their energy costs, while ensuring their health and safety, thanks to the President’s economic recovery plan,” said Governor O’Malley. “These audits may seem trivial on an individual basis, but the fact is that families could save between $300 and $400 per year with simple energy efficiency improvements. If every household in the state of Maryland swapped out one incandescent light bulb for a compact florescent bulb, it would save enough energy to power over 6,300 homes for one full year.”

More than $61 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will be provided to the State of Maryland for its Weatherization Assistance Program. Of this, $44.5 million will be used for home weatherization improvements and approximately $11 million is targeted for training and technical assistance.

Governor and contractor talking“The Recovery Act is putting people back to work and helping homeowners save money,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen, whose District includes the home Governor O’Malley visited today. “With these home weatherization funds being distributed to Maryland families, more than 9,400 homes will see their heating bills drop by a third. I applaud Governor O’Malley and County Executive Leggett for working tirelessly to see that these funds are getting out into the community and helping to get our economy moving again.”

The Weatherization program, which is managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, benefits low-income families by providing a maximum of $6,500 in weatherization-related services such as air infiltration reduction, insulation, hot water system improvements, lighting retrofits and furnace repairs or improvements.

“Montgomery County is proud to host this home weatherization program for low-income homeowners, among the first in the nation funded through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “These federal Recovery monies help homeowners save energy and save money on utility costs -- and help preserve and create jobs. The Lowery family is only the first of hundreds of County families who will benefit.”

The County signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State to provide weatherization services to those low-income households eligible for assistance under the program guidelines, which will in turn be reimbursed by the State using ARRA funds. The agreement runs through 2012.

Over the three years that Maryland is expected to receive ARRA weatherization funding, about 6,800 homes are estimated to be weatherized, compared to about half that amount served in the previous three years. At least 150 “green” jobs are expected to be created through Local Weatherization Agencies.

To qualify for weatherization assistance, families must have household incomes below 200% poverty level, or 60% median income. Families who may qualify are encouraged to contact their Local Energy Office by calling 800-638-7781 or through Maryland’s assistance website problemsolver.maryland.gov.

Eighteen Local Weatherization Agencies prioritize the requests for weatherization services based on special population needs, including families with children, families with no heat, the elderly and people with disabilities. These agencies contact individual homeowners to set up appointments to inspect the property, where a professionally trained energy efficiency auditor conducts an on-site inspection to determine the most cost-effective measures that are appropriate for the home. The auditor also develops a work plan for items that need to be addressed.

“Our weatherization efforts not only reflect our commitment to a Smart, Green and Growing agenda, but it also highlights our focus on job creation as Maryland families along with everyone else around the nation continue to be challenged by this tough economy,” said Maryland Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond A. Skinner.

Governor and contractor replacing filter in houseThe State’s enhanced weatherization effort also includes the creation of a Maryland Weatherization Training Center and institutional career paths through community colleges. State agencies are working with a consortium of Maryland community colleges to put together a statewide training program.

Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s EmPOWER Maryland initiative, the State of Maryland will reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by the year 2015. Recent State initiatives, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade program and Clean Cars Act, have put the State on track to reduce greenhouse gases by 12.5 percent -- half of the 25 percent reduction goal. These actions, along with the Climate Change Commission’s Climate Action Plan that details 42 options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrate that this reduction goal is achievable and beneficial.

Source: Maryland Governor