State Energy Activities – The Stimulus Package, Energy Legislation and State Actions

• The State Energy Program (SEP), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have been “under-funded” for many years.
• Historically, every federal dollar invested in the State Energy Program has provided over $7 in energy savings and leveraged almost $11 in non-federal investment.
• A NASEO survey of states on energy projects identified over $8 billion of "shovel ready" projects nationwide.
• The Weatherization Assistance Program currently employs 13,000 people directly and another 8,000 indirectly. The House version of the stimulus package is expected to create an additional 30,000 jobs.
• Weatherization produces average energy cost savings of 19 percent for electricity, and 33 percent for natural gas.
• LIHEAP is expected to serve about 7.3 million households in 2009, a 25 percent increase over last year, due to rising unemployment and high energy prices. The FY 2009 Continuing Resolution increased federal funding for LIHEAP from $2.57 billion to $5.1 billion, but many state governments are still concerned that it will not be enough to meet the need for additional assistance.
• National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) is seeking the House version of the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the three programs: $3.4 billion for SEP; $6.2 billion for WAP; and $1 billion for LIHEAP. The Senate version included allocations of $500 million for SEP and $2.9 billion for WAP, and no additional funds for LIHEAP.
• Consumer education is important for creating awareness and success for these programs.