[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   SENATE RESOLUTION 612--RECOGNIZING THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE 
 PROGRAM DURING ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR FOR ITS HISTORY OF REDUCING 
   THE ENERGY COSTS OF FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOMES, MAKING LOW-INCOME 
 HOUSEHOLDS HEALTHIER AND SAFER, POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT, 
                 AND SUPPORTING JOBS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY

  Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Coons) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 612

       Whereas Congress has long recognized the disproportionate 
     energy burden on families and individuals with low incomes;
       Whereas, in 1976, Congress and the Department of Energy 
     developed the Weatherization Assistance Program (in this 
     preamble referred to as the ``WAP'') to increase the energy 
     efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income 
     individuals, reduce the total residential energy expenditures 
     of those individuals, and improve the health and safety of 
     those individuals, especially low-income individuals who are 
     particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly, persons with 
     disabilities, families with children, high residential energy 
     users, and households with high energy burdens;
       Whereas low-income households on average pay 7.2 percent of 
     the income of those households on utilities, more than 3 
     times the amount that higher income households pay;
       Whereas at least \1/4\ of low-income households in many 
     regions experience an energy burden that is greater than 14 
     percent of household income;
       Whereas nearly 9,000,000 families across the United States 
     live in energy inefficient, unhealthy homes;
       Whereas the WAP operates in all 50 States, the District of 
     Columbia, 5 territories of the United States, and Indian 
     tribal governments;
       Whereas more than 7,400,000 homes have been weatherized 
     since the inception of the WAP in 1976;
       Whereas, in a typical year, the WAP produces more than 
     $300,000,000 in energy cost savings;
       Whereas a typical low-income family saves between $250 and 
     $450 per year after receiving weatherization services;
       Whereas every dollar invested in weatherization returns 
     $4.10 to society in energy, health, and safety benefits;
       Whereas children in households that receive weatherization 
     services miss fewer days of school due to incidences of 
     asthma, respiratory difficulties, and other health related 
     issues;
       Whereas investment in the WAP by the Federal Government and 
     other sources supports more than 25,000 jobs across the 
     United States in related industries;
       Whereas the WAP decreases pollution and improves air 
     quality;
       Whereas the WAP has increased its impact through a 
     strategic partnership with the Low Income Home Energy 
     Assistance Program (commonly known as the ``LIHEAP'') of the 
     Department of Health and Human Services;
       Whereas the WAP has implemented rigorous quality control 
     standards and procedures;
       Whereas the WAP has incorporated cutting edge technologies; 
     and
       Whereas, by decreasing the amount of personal income spent 
     on home energy, the WAP makes housing more affordable, 
     improves the quality of life for families with low incomes, 
     reduces forced mobility, and increases the energy security of 
     the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the Weatherization Assistance Program for 40 
     years of reducing the energy burden of families with low 
     incomes, making low-income households healthier and safer, 
     positively impacting the environment, and supporting jobs and 
     new technology;
       (2) encourages the Weatherization Assistance Program to 
     continue performing essential weatherization services in the 
     future;
       (3) applauds the dedicated professionals at the Federal, 
     State, and local levels who run the daily operations of the 
     Weatherization Assistance Program; and
       (4) congratulates the Weatherization Assistance Program on 
     the 40th anniversary of the Weatherization Assistance Program 
     being signed into law on August 14, 1976.

                          ____________________