"The Trump Budget’s Bizarre Move To Cut The Weatherization Of Homes"

"Among dozens of federal programs proposed for elimination in the Trump administration’s newly revealed budget proposal is the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, a grant program housed under the Department of Energy that helps states improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families. It’s one of several climate and energy-related initiatives that, if erased, could actually hurt consumers in ways that seem inconsistent with the economy-boosting action the administration claims to seek.

Two weeks ago, we described the administration’s proposal to eliminate the federal Energy Star program as part of a sweeping series of cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency — a move that energy efficiency experts argued could financially hurt consumers and businesses. Cutting the WAP, experts say, could have a similar effect. Like Energy Star, WAP benefits the environment by reducing energy consumption and thereby cutting down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions — but its most fundamental purpose is to save consumers money on their energy bills.

'Homeowners that are lucky enough to benefit from this program can save up to $450 a year on their energy bills,' said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, adding that while this may not sound like a lot to some, for low-income families it can be 'very significant.'"

Chelsea Harvey reports for the Washington Post March 20, 2017.