State Weatherization Program to Receive More than $41.6 Million
In June 2009, Nebraska received a total of $41,644,458 for three years under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide free home weatherization services such as insulation and furnace replacements for eligible Nebraskans. Services are provided at the local level primarily by community action agencies.
The Weatherization Assistance Program will be available to families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level – or $44,100 a year for a family of four. Weatherization projects allow low-income families to save money by making their homes more energy efficient, which results in average savings of up to 32 percent for heating bills and savings of hundreds of dollars per year on overall energy bills.
Nebraska will weatherize 4,000 homes over the next three years, prioritizing weatherization for homes occupied by elderly disabled persons, followed by homes occupied by people over 60 years old; younger disabled persons; Native Americans; adults with children under 6 years of age; and other eligible low-income families. The Recovery Act will enable community action agencies and other non-profits who deliver weatherization services to hire and train a number of additional workers to handle the increased workload.