Budget Cuts Hurt Energy Efficiency Help for Residents

By Crystal Bonvillian, Montgomery Advertiser, Ala.

Jun. 11–Fewer elderly and low-income residents will get help this year to make their homes more energy efficient.

The budget for the Weatherization Assistance Program has been slashed by 21 percent, which reflects federal budget cuts in the U.S. Department of Energy. The difference will be more than $500,000 less than last year.

“The whole federal budget took a cut, so every state took a cut this year,” said Jim Plott, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the agency that manages the program. “We’ll have to reduce our homes in the program from about 700 to about 508.”

Of the approximately $2.15 million granted to the state this year, a total of $168,061 has been approved for use in central Alabama. Gov. Bob Riley last month awarded $96,932 to the Montgomery County Commission for its program and $71,129 to the Elmore-Autauga Community Action Committee. The agency also works with residents in Chilton and Shelby counties. Its grant will fund weatherization assistance for 17 homes.

Montgomery County’s share should help about 27 families.

“We help them (eligible, low-income families) with window and door repair, sealing any leaks,” Plott said. “Heating system tune-ups, insulation, caulking around door frames and window frames. Some of it is pretty basic, but some of it is elaborate.”

On average, the homeowner saves about $358 per year.

Last year, ADECA was able to help 781 homeowners weatherproof their homes. Thirty-one homes were repaired in Montgomery County, 14 were done in Elmore County and 12 in Autauga County.

Plott said the decrease in funds could hurt the program, but those people most in need will get assistance first because of a priority list that takes into account factors such as a disability and if the homeowner is elderly. The list is then ranked according to a point system.

“Someone with 40 points translates into having a greater need than someone with 15 points,” Plott said. “It ensures that those with most need get served first.”

Assistance also is determined by income using federal poverty guidelines. Residents must be at or below 150 percent of the poverty level for its family size.

According to the Department of Energy, for example, the poverty level for a family of four is an annual income of $20,650. To be eligible for weatherization help, the family’s income would have to be at or below $30,975.

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