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Quik-FACTS
June 2, 2011

House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill: No Real FY 2012 Weatherization Program 

 

 This morning, the House Subcommittee reported its FY 2012 Bill over the objections of the Democratic Members. Funding for Weatherization is set at $33 million. The figure is  consistent with the Committee's attempt in February when H.R. 1  terminated the program entirely for 2011 . Obviously,  if this were a final figure, there would be no Weatherization Assistance.

 

All Democrats opposed the bill, but they could not add funds because of the tight spending limits imposed by the Ryan 2012 Budget Resolution and united Republican support for the Bill.  Ranking Member Norm Dicks (D-WA) attacked " the  'cut-at-any-cost' mantra that has overtaken the Republican Majority" and said,  "This bill contains inadequate funding levels for fuel efficiency ...Penny-wise, pound-foolish decisions in the present will look foolish in the future. "

 

The answers to the following critical questions will determine our strategy in the coming weeks:

 

  1. How hard will the Administration fight for a robust W.A.P.?  The Request is for an increase over past year regular funds.  
  2. If a W.A.P. champion offers an amendment to the Bill on the  House floor, how will the increase be 'paid for' in the same bill? How many other energy efficiency programs' advocates will be trying to increase THEIR priorities using the same 'offsets'?   We expect a floor vote before the July 4 recess. 
  3. How much will the Senate allocate to this Bill? Will Subcommittee Chair Feinstein (D-CA) become a strong proponent of W.A.P. ? What other Democratic senators can be mobilized to make this their # 1 or # 2 priority when so many important programs are threatened?  

NCAF is focusing on these questions;  at the same time our entire network must create a more visible stream of positive messages that dispel misconceptions about unspent ARRA funds and, that eclipse the steady stream of critical, negatively-worded reports from federal or state IG's or  monitors.

 

 Bradley signature

David Bradley

Executive Director

National Community Action Foundation 
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