Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income families by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the WAP received five billion dollars in new funding to achieve the purposes set forth in the Act, including “to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and, to stabilize State and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.”
The ARRA not only increases funding for the WAP but also includes several statute amendments that expand the program to increase in the eligible homeowner income level, increases assistance level per home, and allows for more cost effective measures to be installed.
This document describes the changes to the WAP made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The document lists eligible households, describes the technical aspects of weatherization and lists funding allocations by state. It provides a short, useful definition of the changes made to the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program. In addition, there is a detailed chart that lists funding amounts state by state.
The practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. Also known as weatherproofing.Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to produce the same or increased functions. Often used mistakenly as a synonym for ENERGY CONSERVATION. The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
