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HISTORY OF THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM |
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More than 20 Years Since the program’s inception
in 1979, $98.22 million has been spent to make energy efficiency improvements
in 58,468 homes. An estimated 52,000 homes of Nebraskans remain eligible
for the Energy savings resulting from weatherization typically last 20 years or longer. The cumulative savings since the program began are illustrated in the chart here. Conservatively, estimated savings of $75.1 million have been achieved. About $4.4 million in new savings accrue annually. Other ImpactsEnergy expenses comprise an economic drain on low-income communities. Often, energy bills account for more than 20 percent of a family’s gross income. Typically, more than 80 percent of this expense leaves the community. In contrast, weatherization reduces this drain and keeps investments circulating in local economies. For individual families the gain is immediate — up to 18.7 percent in Nebraska, and an annual savings on utility bills of $126 Weatherization investments in housing stock aid the upkeep and increase the value of housing in these communities. By reducing long-term energy costs, weatherization makes these housing units more affordable. Weatherization can also have an impact on low-income communities by stimulating the local home energy industry. The mainstay of this industry consists of the local service providers — mostly community action agencies in Nebraska — that make the improvements in the homes. These jobs represent a significant source of economic development through what economists call the "multiplier effect." This effect describes the phenomenon whereby money circulates in local economies and is used to measure local economic development. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates conservatively an economic multiplier of three from the investment in weatherization services in the home of low-income Americans. |
weatherization program