Both of Maine’s delegates in the United States Senate, Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Sen. Angus King (I), have joined forces with a primarily Democratic group of lawmakers to advocate for the release of nearly $360 million in federal funding for weatherization assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
The coalition is also calling for the federal government to send out roughly $66 million worth of funding for the State Energy Program (SEP).
Although weatherization funding has traditionally been insulated from the effects of appropriations delays, the federal government is currently very far behind schedule for the 2026 funding process.
To date, no instructions have been shared regarding how states may apply for grant funds that would be available for use starting July 1 despite such documents typically being made available in December of the previous year.
Last year, Maine received $4,465,333 for WAP funds and $564,650 for SEP.
“WAP and SEP provide vital formula funding to all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to address energy affordability, reliability, and security,” the senators wrote.
“WAP provides states with funding to weatherize homes for low-income Americans, saving participants on average $372 on utility bills every year,” the explained. “Conserving energy helps participating households devote their income to other essentials such as food and medicine.”
“SEP provides funding to help states improve energy security, increase energy efficiency, and boost economic growth,” the 19-member coalition said.
“To avoid further delays to program start dates, we urge you to not only immediately release this guidance, but to also speed state application approvals and the release of appropriated funds,” they urged.
“[Department of Energy] regulations require the agency to approve or deny timely filed WAP and SEP applications within 60 days,” the senators concluded. “We urge you to speed this review period to minimize adverse impacts on state programs.”
Alongside Sen. Collins and Sen. King, lawmakers also signing the letter included Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).
““WAP provides states with funding to weatherize homes for low-income Americans.” Great, this is just Government money to help those who cannot be bothered to work to help themselves. But where does the Government obtain its money? It does not obtain it from the recipients, who pay little or no taxes: the Government squeezes it from those of us who work for living and pay taxes. Recall, if you will: the U S Government has no money whatever that it has not first taken from the taxpayers under threat of jailing us for not paying.