WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to help more Rhode Islanders save on their energy bills, increase energy efficiency, and reduce our nation's demand for fossil fuels, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is calling on the Bush Administration to provide over $254 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and $49.5 million for the State Energy Program (SEP) in fiscal year 2007. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled by improving the energy efficiency of low-income housing. The State Energy Program (SEP) improves the energy efficiency of schools, hospitals, small businesses, farms, and industries. "The Weatherization Assistance Program has helped thousands of Rhode Islanders save on their home energy bills," said Reed. "This is a forward-looking program that helps people insulate their homes and allows them to save money for years to come. It also makes good environmental sense. We now save more energy each year from energy efficiency than we get from any single energy source, including oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear power, reducing pollution from greenhouse gases that lead to global warming." Since the program began in 1977, WAP has helped weatherize more than 31,000 Rhode Island homes, saving consumers the equivalent of 84 million barrels of heating oil. Weatherization alleviates the disproportionate energy burden experienced by low-income households, who spend 14% of their total income on energy, compared with 3.5% for other households. After a home is weatherized, low-income families typically experience a 30% reduction on their energy bill. "With the cost of home heating such a financial burden, I will continue to try and help more Rhode Islanders lower their energy bills," said Reed, who has helped secure over $5.87 million in federal funding over the last five years for weatherization efforts in Rhode Island. Yesterday, Reed was joined by Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME) in sending a letter requesting funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program. A copy of the letter follows:March 6, 2007Dear Director Portman and Secretary Bodman:As you shape the Department of Energy spending plan for the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution, we urge you to provide no less than $254.5 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), the amount provided in the House-passed Energy and Water Appropriations Act for FY 2007 (HR 5427). In addition, we urge you to provide $49.5 million for the State Energy Program (SEP), which matches the amount requested in the president's FY 2007 budget proposal. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled by improving the energy efficiency of low-income housing. In each year the program has exceeded its target and weatherized approximately 100,000 homes. Increased funding would allow WAP to expand quickly to reduce energy usage by approximately 25% in each assisted home. This represents savings that families can use to pay for other necessities, while reducing the nation's energy demand by the equivalent of 15 million barrels of oil every year. The State Energy Program (SEP) improves the energy efficiency of schools, hospitals, small businesses, farms, and industries. In addition, state energy offices handle the crucial energy emergency preparedness functions for states, including planning for potential terrorist attacks. Funding SEP at the President's requested level, $49.5 million, will enable states to meet the demands of increased security and to continue and expand their invaluable work to promote the application of energy efficiency for all Americans. SEP provides significant energy savings - for every dollar invested in the program $7.22 is saved in energy costs.Thank you for your consideration of this request.-end-