A coalition of 34 advocacy organizations and the Vermont legislative Climate Caucus is pushing the Legislature to continue to fund the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program at its current level of $12 million. The governor's proposed budget would decrease the program's capacity by failing to maintain the funding level that has been bolstered by 5 years of "one-time" funding - first ARRA stimulus funding, and then funds from the GMP-CVPS merger.
The ARRA funding allowed the program to build infrastructure and purchase equipment that allows for best practices in weatherization. The five years of increased capacity also coincided with the State of Vermont setting a goal of weathering 20,000 low income homes by 2020. Although progress has been made, 14,000 homes still need to be weatherized to meet this goal.
Hal Cohen, Executive Director of Central Vermont Community Action Council, noted, "Weatherization is one of the best investments we can make in Vermont. For every dollar invested in weatherization, approximately $2.50 is returned to the household and the community."
Cohen shared a letter signed by 34 organizations asking the legislature to keep the Low Income Weatherization Program funded at the $12 million level in order to maintain the program's capacity and to continue to make progress toward the goal of weatherizing 20,000 low income homes by 2020.
Karen Lafayette of the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council explained, "Low Income Vermont households spend a much higher percentage of their incomes on heating costs than the rest of the population. The average savings from low income weatherization of $1000 per household is $200 more than the average LIHEAP benefit this year - and that savings continues each and every year, saving an average of approximately 37% of a household's heating costs year after year."
Rep. Mary Hooper (D-Montpelier) shared a letter signed by 83 legislators of the Climate Caucus urging "support for robust funding of the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Programs. We cannot afford to drop back from the $12 million spent in FY 2014. In fact, we should be going further."
Rep. Hooper added, "Climate change is the single most important issue of our time. We need to be acting aggressively to attack this problem. The Low Income Weatherization program has been one of the most effective ways of making the lives of low income Vermonters substantially better and as a result not burning 465,000 gallons of fuel last year."
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Programsprovide weatherization services free of charge to Vermonters who meet income and other qualifications. Trained professionals will review the problem areas in a home and identify the most cost-effective steps that can be taken to increase comfort, reduce heat loss, and ensure safety.
The Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council represents the interests of low income Vermonters.
The Climate Caucus is a group of legislators who are trying to focus attention on the climate crisis.
LINKS:
Climate Caucus Letter:https://www.dropbox.com/s/5xwj8703or8aggp/weatherizationfunding%20copy.pdf
Advocate Letter: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ylt9q43gvdm56d2/Weatherization%20Platform%20SI...
Factsheet:https://www.dropbox.com/s/txkpfkk1oca3xpr/WAPS%20rba%20factsheet%20FINAL...