[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, and Mrs. 
        Shaheen):
  S. 3769. A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act 
to improve the weatherization assistance program, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Weatherization 
Assistance Program Improvements Act, which will make critical updates 
to ensure this important program can effectively serve even more 
households across the country.
  Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more 
than 7 million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making 
their homes more energy efficient. The Department of Energy estimates 
that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills 
annually. Those energy savings free up limited financial resources for 
essentials, like groceries and medicine.
  In addition to traditional services like attic and wall insulation, 
the program also provides services that help with home health and 
safety measures, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide 
detectors. Energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon 
footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate 
change.
  An independent study of the Weatherization Assistance Program by Oak 
Ridge National Laboratory found that children in weatherized households 
miss less school, improving educational outcomes. Adults miss less 
work, increasing both their own incomes and their contributions to the 
economy. Families also reported experiencing fewer flu and cold 
symptoms and emergency room visits, decreasing costly medical expenses.
  The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps boost our economy. 
The program supports over 8,500 jobs for energy experts and 
contractors, while increasing our national economic output by $1.2 
billion.
  The program is a win-win for all involved. That is why, as a member 
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have led my colleagues in 
supporting strong funding for it every year. And that is why I am 
introducing this bill--to ensure it continues to work for years to 
come.
  This bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Collins, Coons, and 
Shaheen, will help expand the program to many more low-income 
households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services 
because their homes are not structurally sound. The bill will authorize 
a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $65 million a year for 5 
years to repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization 
assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to 
serve.
  At the same time, it will raise the amount of funding allowed to be 
spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs, 
and it will raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent 
on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are 
essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over 
the past few decades.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense 
legislation.
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