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WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Josh Riley (NY-19), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and James Moylan (GU) introduced H.R. 1355, the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act, bipartisan legislation that invests in home weatherization efforts to save low-income families hundreds of dollars on their energy bills while making homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient.

Data shows that home weatherization reduces energy burden with cost-effective, energy efficiency retrofit investments. Additionally, households receiving WAP services save an average of $372 each year on their energy bills.

“For nearly 50 years, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has served as a pillar for millions of American families, lowering energy costs and making their homes healthier and safer,” Congressman Tonko said. “This program benefits public health while putting money in people’s pockets. Our Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act further bolsters WAP to help make our communities more resilient and energy efficient. I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this effort, and I’ll continue working to ensure we lower costs for all Americans and propel a more just, more sustainable clean energy future.”

“My work to establish the Weatherization Readiness Program in the 2022 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Act was a downpayment on the effort we continue today,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “It’s an honor to join Congressman Tonko, Congressman Riley, Congressman Lawler, and Congressman Moylan who are champions in our bipartisan effort to bring relief from high energy costs to struggling Americans, to introduce this bill to permanently authorize the Weatherization Readiness Program. Our goal is to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the Weatherization Assistance Program and to help homeowners save hundreds of dollars each year on their energy bills. Together we recommit to ensuring that homeowners, no matter their income level, have access to this important program to help ease the burden of high energy costs and extend the life of their home for generations to come.”

“Families across Upstate New York are sitting around the kitchen table every week trying to figure out how to make ends meet. And as if things aren’t hard enough, big utility companies are proposing double-digit rate hikes, all while bragging to their investors about their record profits. Enough is enough,” said Congressman Josh Riley. “This bipartisan bill helps families make home improvements to save on utilities while creating good-paying union jobs. The big utility companies don’t deserve another break, but working families do, and I’m fighting every day to deliver.”

“The Weatherization Assistance Program has been a lifeline for low-income households, but it hasn’t kept pace with rising costs for materials and wages, limiting its effectiveness,” said Congressman Lawler. “By increasing access to the Weatherization Assistance Program we can ensure more families get this critical aid. The bill would also expand the program to address structural deficiencies and health hazards, ensuring that those who need help the most aren’t left behind. This is a move toward making homes safer, more energy-efficient, and more affordable for hardworking Americans, especially in New York, where the affordability crisis continues to be a burden.”

The Weatherization Enhancement & Readiness Act would strengthen the program by:

• Reauthorizing the Weatherization Assistance Program through Fiscal Year 2030;
• Raising the statutory Average Cost Per Unit from $6,500 to $12,000, so that households can receive more assistance, and WAP implementers can pay competitive wages and retain their workforces;
• Authorizing the Weatherization Readiness Program to address structural, plumbing, roofing, and electrical issues, and environmental hazards with dwelling units unable to receive effective assistance from WAP;
• Authorizing $50 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030 for the Weatherization Readiness Program; and
• Making other minor and clarifying changes to WAP.

A fact sheet of the Weatherization Enhancement & Readiness Act can be found HERE.