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On the Brink: 2008
Home energy is a crippling financial burden
for low-income West Virginia households with incomes of
below 50% of the Federal Poverty Level pay 63.1% of their
annual income simply for their home energy bills.
Ø Weatherization
makes an important contribution to our national
security by reducing the impact of energy
supply disruptions on the nation’s most vulnerable
consumers. These groups are the least able to deal with a
price explosion or an energy supply disruption. When a
low-income home is weatherized, both its energy bill and
fuel consumption are reduced each year for many years to
come.
Ø Weatherization
makes an
A Meta-evaluation conducted by the Oak
Ridge National Laboratory demonstrated that DOE
Weatherization Assistance resulted in a $358 home utility
savings per year, year after year. The Program
reduces energy bills by an average of 23% for gas-heated
homes, and makes more money available in the household to
keep bills current, and to pay for food, medicine and other
necessities.
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Weatherization Works
Mission Statement
To reduce energy costs for low-income
families, particularly for the elderly, people with
disabilities, and
children, by improving the energy
efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and
safety.
The West Virginia Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity manages the state’s low-income weatherization assistance program, using U.S. DOE appropriations, LIHEAP fuel assistance funds, and utility partnership funding. GOEO contracts statewide with 13 local community action agencies that employ trained weatherization crews to install in low income homes energy efficiency and conservation measures
prescribed by energy audits and diagnostic testing. Weatherization examples include, but are not limited to, installing insulation, reducing air-infiltration, performing heating and cooling
tune-ups and modifications, and when
appropriate, replacing heating units for energy efficiency and safety. Client education is provided on use and maintenance of the weatherization measures. |
 
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Success of Energy
Awareness Month
On Thursday, October 15th and
the State Capitol, Governor Joe Manchin III recognized the
state's Weatherization Assistance Program for its
contribution to residential energy efficiency in West
Virginia, as well as the new education and employment
opportunities the Program's expansion from the $37 million
in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
weatherization monies has brought to the state. The
Governor, West Virginia Community and Technical College
(WVCTCS) Chancellor James Skidmore, and GOEO Director, Edwin
Harper, signed an MOU for new Weatherization Course Work and
Curriculum to be offered at WV's 10 community colleges
beginning in early 2010. Governor Manchin also recognized
some of the new ARRA weatherization employees present for
the ceremony and the Governor read his proclamation
declaring that Friday, October 30th would be "Weatherization
Day" in the Mountain State.
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