PHILADELPHIA, November 23, 2009 — Mayor Michael A. Nutter visited a home in North Philadelphia today to announce that Philadelphia has been awarded almost $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, an investment that will create jobs, cut energy bills, and lower energy use for individuals and families across the city. The total amount of additional funding for weatherization coming to Philadelphia is $29.8 million, with $15.9 million allocated to the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, a City agency, and $13.9 million allocated to the Energy Coordinating Agency, a non-governmental organization.

“This is yet another example of how we’re using the Recovery Act funding to create jobs, grow our green economy, and achieve real and lasting improvements in the lives of Philadelphians,” said Mayor Nutter. “With this money we are replacing windows and doors, insulating roofs, upgrading heating systems and much more. These improvements are generating hundreds of dollars in annual energy cost savings for those Philadelphians who need it the most and are helping us achieve our Greenworks goal of becoming the number one green city in the United States.”

This funding flows to Philadelphia through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and DCED Secretary George Cornelius praised the progress that has been made by the City of Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia has been second to none in gearing up for the enormous growth of weatherization funds from the federal recovery act,” said Secretary George Cornelius. “Over many months, there have been preparations to open a training center, to forge partnerships with utilities, and to make sure this unprecedented chance to create jobs and economic opportunity in the community gets done in the best possible way. We're looking forward to the next several years because these funds will help families save money, conserve energy and help put people to work.”

The additional investment in the Weatherization Assistance Program through the ARRA will roughly double the total number of homes in Philadelphia served on an annual basis. With this new funding the PHDC and the ECA will be able to serve approximately 4,000 homes this year, compared to approximately 2,000 homes served last year. At the same time the ARRA will vastly increase the amount of money that can be spent per home from $2,500 to $6,500 allowing much more work to be done in each property. It is expected that improvements made to these properties will result in energy savings for the homeowner of 30-40% in the first year. Eligible homeowners must be high energy users whose incomes are below 200% of the federal poverty level, so the funding is targeted at the lowest income Philadelphians.

The announcement took place in North Philadelphia, at 6th and Diamond, outside the home of Ms. Juanita Miller. Ms. Miller called the PHDC hotline (details below) to see if her property was eligible for energy efficiency improvements through the Weatherization Assistance Program. After being approved, an energy audit of her property was conducted and she was assigned a contractor. Over recent days a number of improvements to her home have been made – including pipe replacements, heater tuning, insulation of water pipes, caulking, and window replacements – all of which will result in lower energy bills for Ms. Miller and a reduced energy use for her property.

Clients whose properties are weatherized also receive energy efficiency education at each step of the process and as well as receiving improvements to their home, they also receive a caulk gun, radiator key, and information on how they can continue to reduce their energy use.

Mayor Nutter was joined at the announcement by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) who, as Chair of the Congressional Urban Caucus, has long advocated for energy efficiency block grants, weatherization programs and other applications of federal resources for energy conservation in our urban areas.

“Weatherization works and weatherization dollars work in lots of different ways,” said Congressman Fattah. “As homeowners across Philadelphia will find out, these types of improvements will keep their homes warm, lower energy costs as well as providing federal stimulus funds to create jobs.”

The press conference took place in the Fifth Council District represented by Councilman Darrell Clarke:

“This is a success story for the Federal Recovery Act. Resources will be going to citizens with the most need for weatherization and job opportunities will be created for a substantial number of people, all while enhancing the City's ability to become energy efficient.”

Also present was state Senator Shirley M. Kitchen who represents the Third Senatorial District in Philadelphia.

“Every winter, we hear the same stories about individuals and families who can't afford to pay their heating bills. Many of these simply don't earn enough income to account for the inevitable rise in heating bills,” said state Senator Shirley M. Kitchen. “This year, we have more people out of work because of the recession, and this stimulus funding specifies a crucial need to help people stay warm. It's a critical investment that will help so many residents protect their houses from the cold and increasing heating costs this winter and for future winters. Especially for next year, when the PECO electric rate caps are scheduled to come off.”

State regulations require PHDC and ECA to first serve eligible residents (those below 200% of the federal poverty level) who appear on a list of previously identified high-energy users to ensure that the program achieves maximum energy savings. When all residents on that list have had the opportunity to receive service, PHDC and ECA will serve clients who sought weatherization through the agencies' standard intake process.

Homeowners wishing to find out whether they are eligible for weatherization assistance should call the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation Weatherization Assistance Program Hotline on 215-448-2160 (Mon-Thurs) or contact your local Neighborhood Energy Center, details to be found through the Energy Coordinating Agency: www.ecasavesenergy.org/nec .html.