Wisconsin Governor Doyle Announces Weatherization Initiatives, Increasing Efficiency and Creating Jobs

Governor Helps Weatherize Milwaukee Home with Energy Secretary Chu

March 13, 2009 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin will weatherize twice as many low income homes next year than it was able to this winter, thanks to $197 million in weatherization and energy funding from the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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He also announced additional weatherization initiatives that will create green jobs, save Wisconsin families money, and increase green manufacturing opportunities for Wisconsin businesses. Governor Doyle was in Milwaukee today where he, along with Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, helped weatherize the home of Barbara Ostovich.

“Barbara, like many homeowners, pays more than she needs to each month in gas and electric bills, because her house is not properly weatherized,” Governor Doyle said. “With this support from Secretary Chu and the Obama Administration we will be able to save money for hardworking Wisconsin families and move forward on our goals of achieving energy independence.”

With the weatherization improvements made today, Barbara will save $1,700 a year in her energy bills, making back the program’s $5,000 investment in three years.

Low Income Weatherization provides energy conservation services to low income owners and renters statewide. Conservation measures include furnace replacement, attic and wall insulation, and installation of lights and appliances designed to achieve electrical savings. Through the program, the state will be able to weatherize 16,500 homes next year, up from 8,250 this winter.

The weatherization program utilizes a blend of federal and state funds to maximize energy savings for the highest energy users among the eligible applicants. The Weatherization Assistance Program will allow an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades and will be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – or about $44,000 a year for a family of four.

Other weatherization initiatives Governor Doyle announced today include his On-the-Job Training Pilot, a green work force development project that will provide training services and work experience in energy conservation and weatherization installation skills for disadvantaged unemployed workers in Milwaukee. Additionally, Wisconsin will work with a non-profit partner to weatherize 1,000 units in multi-family buildings throughout the city and county of Milwaukee.

Earlier in the day Secretary Chu and Governor Doyle met with local energy, business, and labor leaders. Governor Doyle visited Secretary Chu in Washington, D.C. earlier this month to discuss Wisconsin’s leadership in achieving energy independence. The Governor invited Secretary Chu to Wisconsin to view these projects firsthand.

Governor Doyle is committed to a clean energy future. His plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts, and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and available to all.

The Wisconsin Division of Energy Services provides services to Wisconsin qualified residential households with energy assistance and weatherization needs. For more information call 1- 866-HEATWIS (432-8947).

Source: Wisconsin Governor