[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2737-S2738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Schumer, Mr. 
        Dodd, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Lieberman):
  S. 2429. A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act 
to make changes in the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income 
Persons; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                 Weatherization Improvement Act of 2000

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
Weatherization Improvement Act of 2000.
  As this past winter has demonstrated, cold temperatures and high fuel 
costs can result in severe hardship for many of our low-income 
households, particularly those with children, elderly, and disabled 
members. Preventative energy efficiency measures are vital to ensure 
that low-income consumers spend less money keeping their families warm 
on cold winter nights. It is estimated that investments in 
Weatherization can save a typical household $193 in annual gas energy 
costs. While improving energy efficiency through work such as air-

[[Page S2738]]

sealing and insulation work is an admirable goal, the Weatherization 
Assistance Program also has become an important tool in addressing the 
health and safely of our low-income families.
  The Weatherization Improvement Act of 2000 seeks to further this 
commitment. The legislation will amend the average per dwelling unit 
cost to incorporate intensive costs, such as costs of furnace or 
cooling replacements, reducing the administrative burden of tracking 
these costs separately; increase the average cost per home, beginning 
this year, to $2,500 (up from $2,032 for 1999); and eliminate the 
statutory requirement that at least 40 percent of funds be spent on 
materials. These changes are necessary to improve the effectiveness of 
the Weatherization, and are long overdue.
  Lastly, the legislation repeals the 25 percent state matching 
requirement for the Weatherization Assistance Program set to begin in 
FY2001, which was included in the FY2000 Interior Appropriations 
legislation. While many states, utilities, and private organizations 
have leveraged large amounts of money in support of the Weatherization 
Assistance Program, not every state is in the same financial situation. 
There needs to be national commitment to energy efficiency for low 
income Americans and affordable housing. This is part of that 
commitment.
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