Weatherization Leads Clean Energy Recovery
12,000 homes weatherized and 578 jobs created in Minnesota under the Recovery Act
Saint Paul (February 2, 2011) – As of December 31, 2010, Minnesota weatherized over 12,000 homes under the Recovery Act. Having completed about 65 percent of the Recovery Act grant, Minnesota weatherization assistance has spent approximately $85 million. This accomplishment comes as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu celebrated the weatherization of more than 300,000 homes nationally under the Recovery Act.
Along with saving energy, the weatherization program supported 15,427 FTE jobs nationally during the last quarter of 2010. During this same period, Minnesota’s contribution was 578 FTE jobs created with Recovery Act funds. A recent study of the Minnesota Weatherization program conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension found that for every direct job funded by the program, another ¾ job is created in other industries in the state. Additionally, every dollar spent on weatherization measures generates an additional $1.09 of economic activity in the state.
According to a January 19th press release from DOE, nationally 300,000 homes have been weatherized as of November 30, 2010. This marked a milestone for the Department’s efforts to reduce home energy bills for families. Of the total, more than 100,000 have been completed in just the last four months, showing the dramatically accelerated pace of weatherization under the program.
The weatherization program is helping families save money on their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency with upgrades like insulation, air-sealing, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. Nationally, weatherization assistance under this program typically reduces energy consumption for low-income families by 35 percent. In Minnesota, the average savings per household annually is estimated to be $304 on heating and cooling bills.
Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies in Minnesota provide direct services to low-income families through their Energy Conservation, Energy Assistance, Community Engagement (services designed to assist participants and their families with choices that will lead to self-reliance), Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Community Action agencies are governed by a Board of Directors composed of one third low-income residents, one third community members, and one third county board members. For more information, visit www.MinnCAP.org or call 651-645-7425.
