10.12.12

Cantwell announces funding to make thousands of homes more energy efficient

By:  The KPBJ

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Washington State was competitively awarded $2,587,500 in Department of Energy (DOE) funding to retrofit thousands of homes to achieve significant energy savings. Washington State, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Virginia are receiving funding to retrofit at least 12,150 homes across the four states by 2013. One of the aims of the program is to leverage Washington State’s longtime leadership on efficiency to establish a model that can be applied nationally to increase home retrofits by making them easier to implement and engaging the private sector.

“Investing in energy efficiency is one of the smartest and least costly ways we can reduce energy use and consumer costs,” Senator Maria Cantwell said. “This is a great program that when applied nationally will help American households and businesses save money by consuming less energy.”

Energy efficiency retrofitting can reduce energy use in homes by up to 40 percent and cut energy bills by $40 billion annually. Common retrofits include air-tight ducts, insulation, and efficient and properly installed heating and cooling systems.

The $2.6 million Washington is receiving through the State Energy Program is part of $28.5 million going to 12 states and territories to support energy efficiency projects that will lower energy bills, boost job growth, and increase investment in companies that deliver energy-saving technologies