WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD), applauded the Senate’s adoption of their amendment, which includes $220,600,000 for Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2017, an increase of $5,000,000 over the previous fiscal year.  The Senate agreed to the amendment by voice vote during the consideration of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 90 to 8.

“The Weatherization Assistance Program helps address the high cost of residential energy, particularly for those living in northern, rural states like Maine,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that the Senate has agreed to our amendment, which contains a significant increase in funding for this important program.  Weatherization is a wise, long-term investment that promotes energy conservation and permanently reduces home energy costs for low-income families and seniors.”

“Weatherizing homes makes them more energy efficient, helps families reduce their energy bills over the long-term, and can help create green jobs.  Over the years, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped thousands of Rhode Island households make their homes safer and more energy efficient, which lowers their utility bills.  I am pleased Chairman Collins and I were able to provide an additional $5 million for this cost effective and forward looking program,” said Senator Reed.

According to the Department of Energy, more than 7.4 million homes have been weatherized through WAP.  Weatherization saves low-income families an average of $250 to $450 per year in heating, cooling, and electric costs, depending on their housing type, location, and fuel source.

Senators Collins and Reed have long worked to increase funding for WAP.  Earlier this year, Senators Collins and Reed led a bipartisan coalition of senators in urging President Obama to include robust funding in his FY 2017 budget request for WAP.  In addition, Senators Collins and Reed successfully secured an increase of $22 million for WAP in the FY 2016 Omnibus spending bill that passed in December of 2015.