Resolution on The U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program 2009-08

WHEREAS potential system benefits such as decreased need for additional resources and lower long-term energy costs can be realized from the energy saved due to weatherization programs; and

WHEREAS over the past 30 years, the weatherization program has helped low-income households reduce their total energy expenditures by an estimated 23 percent per year, with participating households able to allocate scarce resources for other necessities and helping low-income communities with job growth and better housing;[2] and

WHEREAS the average weatherized home reduces its carbon emissions by more than 1.7 tons per year for 20 years;[3] and

WHEREAS local and state Weatherization programs in the majority of the states have developed partnerships with local utilities (and other service agencies) that deliver and leverage the benefits of efficiency in low income communities; and

WHEREAS a key component of the Administration’s energy and environment agenda is to weatherize one million low-income homes a year; and

WHEREAS The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-16) provides $5 billion for WAP, and the administration has set forth the goal of stimulating the economy by creating weatherization jobs in the hard-hit housing construction workforce and by helping low-income families reduce the cost of the energy bills, while increasing the number of low-income energy efficient homes and reducing carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS  there is a vital need for continuing high funding levels and production as initiated in 2009, so as to help a substantial proportion of low-income households cope with the expected rise in home energy prices for the foreseeable future; and

WHEREAS expanded WAP funding will most benefit program participants and the public by reducing energy bills, improving energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions, if expanded funding is spent wisely on effective programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that NASUCA urges Congress to maintain its current commitment to the mission of Weatherization and fund the program at a minimum of $450 million[4] in FY 2010 to help low-income families lower their bills and their homes’ carbon emissions;

FURTHER RESOLVED that NASUCA urges Congress to maintain a level of WAP funding in subsequent years sufficient to achieve the goal of weatherizing one million homes a year;

FURTHER RESOLVED that NASUCA encourages Congress, governmental agencies, and funded organizations to adopt measures that facilitate the effectiveness of spending in the public interest through transparency and accountability and

FURTHER RESOLVED that NASUCA authorizes its Standing Committees to develop specific positions and to take appropriate actions consistent with the terms of this resolution to secure its implementation, with the approval of the Executive Committee of NASUCA.  The Standing Committees or the Executive Committee shall notify the membership of any action taken to this resolution.

Approved
Boston, Massachusetts
June 30, 2009