WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the urging of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the Department of Energy has announced that it will revise Weatherization Assistance Program guidelines (WAP) to make it easier for people in Maine to use funding provided through the program to transition to more fuel-efficient units. In February, Senator King sent a letter urging the change.

“If Mainers want to transition to more efficient heating units, they should find a partner in the federal government – not an obstacle,” Senator King said. “That’s why I’m so pleased the Department of Energy heard my concerns and will make this common-sense change to its WAP policy. By eliminating the complicated waiver process, the Department will enable more Mainers to move away from older and inefficient furnaces, lower their energy bills, and reduce harmful carbon emissions.”

Under current policy, the Department of Energy requires a waiver if WAP funds are to be used for certain types of fuel-switching as part of weatherization assistance – a cumbersome process that effectively prohibits people from transitioning away from old, inefficient and expensive furnaces to newer, highly-efficient and cost-effective units that use a different fuel source. In his February letter, Senator King urged the Department to adopt rules that do not require a waiver so long as WAP funds are used to switch to more fuel-efficient units, regardless of fuel source.

In a response to Senator King yesterday, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen B. Hogan announced that, as a result of Senator King’s input, in early May the department will issue new policy that will allow WAP recipients greater flexibility in determining their energy future. The letter can be read HERE. 

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