Weatherization Assistance Program Saves Energy,
Reduces Bills for Neediest Families
The news that Maryland will receive $61 million through the American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act for weatherization services is both exciting and challenging for
local jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations that manage these programs.
“Usually we have more demand than funds for this program and suddenly we’re flush
with funds that must be distributed in a short time. It will be an opportunity and
a challenge,” said Ralph Markus, supervisor of Home Energy Programs for the Department
of Human Resources.
Founded in 1976, the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program
has provided weatherization services to more than 6.2 million low-income families,
benefitting society by reducing our energy dependency, improving the environment,
and stimulating economic development in low-income communities, while helping some
of society’s neediest citizens.
Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy efficiency
measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. These are not expensive
upgrades—the average expenditure limit is $6,500 per home—but they are effective,
and energy savings pay for the upgrades within a few years.
President Obama embraced the program early in his candidacy, making it a significant
part of both his energy policy and his economic stimulus package. The approach also
dovetails nicely with Governor Martin O’Malley Smart, Green & Growing initiative
and his focus on putting families first.
Some jurisdictions already have plans for allocating the money.
“Our energy funds have already been depleted,” said Tracy Dyson, manager of the
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee. “So we were happy to hear
about this extra funding which will be used primarily for weatherization to reduce
air infiltration with caulking, sealing, and wrapping hot water pipes.”
The organization provides energy assistance to Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.
They are also looking forward to receiving about $2 million over the next three
years in stimulus funds and will probably hire, either on staff or contract with
certified providers.
“We’ve already received calls from contractors interested in the work as well as
residents who would like to take advantage of the weatherization services we offer.”
DHCD recently hosted a workshop to educate government agencies, non-profit groups
and community organizations on how the funds will be utilized to increase energy
efficiency in low-income households to reduce their costs and provide training and
job opportunities for those interested in energy-related careers.
The workshop provided information on how jurisdictions can benefit from these funds
and take advantage of training and job opportunities this effort will generate.
Representatives of local energy offices and community-based programs attended the
workshop as well as contractors seeking to obtain some of the business that will
be generated from these funds.
“This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to learn about how these stimulus funds
will be made available to local jurisdictions and how our business can participate,”
said A. Rod Womack, CEO of Baltimore Home Rehab. “In business,
everything is about relationships and we are here to network and develop relationships
that may lead to our company obtaining contracts to provide energy saving services
these organizations.”
DHCD is also partnering with state and local agencies including the Maryland community
colleges and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Maryland Energy
Assistance, the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board and the Department of Human
Resources to provide assistance to people in need and set up training for those
who wish to receive certification to carry out weatherization projects. The training
programs will be designed to meet the national skill standards necessary for certification
and include stands for home energy auditors and weatherization crew workers. At
least twelve community colleges from around the state will offer the training.
These partnerships will also provide training and jobs with particular emphasis
on people who are currently unemployed or receive state assistance.
“We’re not only going to create jobs, but train people for future jobs,” said DHCD
Secretary Raymond Skinner. “We want to help get people off of welfare, get them
trained with a marketable skill and get them in a job. That is a strategy that works
for communities now and in the future.”