On June 8, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") announced the transfer of approximately $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act") to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oregon to expand state weatherization assistance programs. These four states have now received 50% of their Recovery Act funds for the Weatherization Program.
Arizona received an award of $22.8 million for the Arizona Weatherization Assistance Program ("AZ WAP"). The AZ WAP will use the Recovery Act funds to weatherize 6,409 homes over the next three years, provide training for technicians to perform such weatherization, and work with local utilities to review energy consumption for weatherized homes. After demonstration of successful implementation of this plan, Arizona will receive more than $28 million in additional funding.
Kansas received an award of $22.6 million for the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program ("K-WAP"). K-WAP will use the Recovery Act funds to weatherize 5,820 new homes through a collection of public and private nonprofit agencies. K-WAP has also increased the number of trainings it runs to meet the increased demand for weatherization workers. After demonstration of successful implementation of this plan, Kansas will receive $28 million in additional funding.
Mississippi received an award of $19.8 million for its weatherization program. The Mississippi weatherization program will use the Recovery Act funds to weatherize 5,467 homes through the Community Services Division at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. After demonstration of successful implementation of this plan, Mississippi will receive $24 million in additional funding.
Oregon received an award of $15.4 million for its weatherization program. The Oregon weatherization program will use the Recovery Act funds to weatherize 4,635 homes through a network of 22 subgrantees (including community action agencies, housing authorities, area agencies on aging, senior centers, a development corporation and Native American tribes). After demonstration of successful implementation of this plan, Oregon will receive $28 million in additional funding.