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Funds to aid weatherizing low-income homes

KVCAP among grant recipients

Morning Sentinel Staff

WATERVILLE -- Kennebec Valley Community Action Program is among six agencies statewide receiving a new $7 million injection of federal stimulus cash to weatherize low-income households, federal officials said Thursday.

KVCAP, with offices in Waterville, Augusta and Skowhegan, is slated to receive about $600,000.

The funding can be used to install solar hotwater systems, hotwater heat pumps, replace inefficient washers with Energy-Star models, and other upgrades.

Casey Bromberg, KVCAP's development director, said that the organization is currently only allowed to use the new funding in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties because of federal standards; however, KVCAP would be petitioning to use the money in Kennebec and Somerset counties as well. The Maine State Housing Authority would need to approve, she said.

The weatherization funding would be used on households that have qualified this year under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP.

"This is over and above some of the stimulus money we've received," Bromberg said.

Since July, the organization has received 1,500 LIHEAP applications, Bromberg said. Last year, it received 14,000 applications and has completed 800 projects.

Maine has weatherized more than 2,000 homes using money from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The state has been a national leader in weatherization, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

"The projects that will be made possible through this investment will help Maine families improve energy efficiency, save money, and promote economic activity and job creation," U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said in a statement.

In addition to KVCAP, the other agencies receiving weatherization funding are Western Maine Community Action in East Wilton, Aroostook County Action Program in Presque Isle, Community Concepts Inc. in South Paris, Penquis Community Action Program located in Bangor and Waldo Community Action Partners in Belfast.

The $7 million to the Maine agencies is part of some $90 million in stimulus funding that's been awarded to more than 100 "high-performing local weatherization providers in 27 states to complement and expand their existing weatherization programs," according to the U.S. Department of Energy.