WASHINGTON – Energy officials from three states testifying at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Energy Subcommittee Wednesday endorsed legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to enhance and extend the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP).

In testimony at the hearing, entitled “Lessons from State Efficiency and Renewable Programs,” witnesses spoke about the importance of the two energy efficiency programs for their states and expressed strong support for the bipartisan Coons-Collins-Reed reauthorization effort.

“SEP is used by Hawaii, and all the states, to catalyze new energy business opportunities, reduce market barriers to energy efficiency and other alternatives, and support our governors and legislature in the kind of energy planning and policy development that has transformed the energy sector over the past five years,” said Mark Glick, Administrator of the Hawaii State Energy Office, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

“The State Energy Program has a history of success working across all sectors of the economy and supporting cost-effective energy efficiency improvements,” said Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. He continued, “The Weatherization Assistance Program has helped low-income families, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities make lasting and cost-effective energy efficiency improvements to their homes and reduce the burden of high energy prices for more than three decades.”

“We support the Coons, Collins, Reed bill to reauthorize the State Energy Program and Weatherization Assistance Program—two programs that are essential in helping states further energy efficiency and renewable energy at home,” Rothman said.

Testifying on behalf of the National Association of State Energy Officials, William E. Taylor, NASEO Vice-Chairman and Director of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, said “This bill has reduced authorization levels from past statutes, recognizes the flexibility provided through SEP and would update the Weatherization Program to move towards enhanced quality assurance and to permit the development of an innovation program which should allow volunteer organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together, to expand their role. NASEO strongly endorses S. 1213.”

For nearly 40 years, WAP has helped low-income families make cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades and SEP has leveraged federal investment with state and local funds to increase energy efficiency and develop alternative energy sources. Congressional authorization for both programs expired in September 2012.

The Weatherization Enhancement, and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act (S.1213) would:

  • Reauthorize and extend the WAP and SEP through 2018;
  • Develop a competitive, leveraged grant program for non-profits that have a track record of success to access the WAP; and
  • Require minimum professional standards for WAP contractors and workers, and require an independent quality assurance program.

Find out more about the legislation and see a full list of endorsers here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/issues/weatherization