PA Achieves Milestone in Weatherizing Homes

Potter, Cameron, Elk and McKean counties among those sharing $199,000 in grants to PA College of Technology

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that Pennsylvania is more than halfway toward its goal to help nearly 30,000 low-income homeowners improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs. Training will help prepare 1,000 more weatherization installers, crew chiefs and auditors across the state in the coming year.

“We are making great progress weatherizing low-income homes, work that creates jobs, conserves energy and reduces costs for homeowners,” Governor Rendell said. “Over the past 11 months, 15,027 homes across the state — just over 50 percent of our 29,700 goal — were weatherized as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded initiative in Pennsylvania.”

Approximately 1,800 people have jobs and skills that can carry well into the future economy because of the weatherization work on these homes.

“Those homeowners are now saving an average of $600 each year on their energy costs. But this effort is about more than simply saving energy and money; this Recovery Act-funded initiative is boosting local economies across the state,” the Governor said, noting that more than $22.3 million has been invested so far in materials and supplies for the weatherization initiative.

“Over the past year, we trained and certified 1,026 workers on ways to help reduce energy costs for Pennsylvania families,” Governor Rendell said. “The demand for these workers is growing. Through the Recovery Act, we expect to train and certify another 1,000 weatherization workers.”

Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Elk, Juniata, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Snyder and Union counties

· $199,000 – Pennsylvania College of Technology Delaware and Philadelphia counties