More money means more energy savings

The amount of money available for a weatherization program in the Minot region has tripled thanks to funding from the federal stimulus package. The new money, plus other changes in the program, will mean that more people will benefit.

Community Action Partnership in Minot, which administers the local Weatherization Assistance Program, is seeking applicants from its region. The region includes Burke, Renville, Bottineau, Mountrail, Ward, McHenry, Pierce counties and the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Previous applicants who weren't eligible because of income limits are urged to re-apply, said Willy Soderholm, executive director for Community Action in Minot. New program rules have raised income eligibility from below 150 percent of poverty to up to 200 percent of poverty. For example, a single person with an income of $21,660 now is eligible, as is a family of four with an income of $44,100.

"We are definitely in need of applicants," Soderholm said. "With the amount of funding that we have, we are expecting within the next three years to weatherize about 500 to 600 homes."

More than $25 million in weatherization funds are coming to North Dakota over the next three years through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Community Action in Minot has been allotted $3.48 million for the three years. The amount reflects an increase from about $300,000 a year that the agency has been receiving.

"There's a lot of expectations with this, too," Soderholm said. "There's a lot of documentation that will go with that."

He added that the agency is prepared to meet the expectations for job creation and energy savings.

Community Action has hired a second weatherization crew, consisting of four people. Soderholm said there may be occasions in which the agency also may need to hire outside contractors for specific projects.

The additional purchases of materials such as insulation, windows and doors will help circulate money in the economy. Soderholm said the increased federal funding also has enabled the weatherization program to update equipment and repair vehicles.

The maximum funding assistance available per home will increase from $3,000 to $6,500 when the provisions of the stimulus package kick in July 1.

"It allows us to do some of the things that we haven't been able to do in the past," Soderholm said.

There is no cost-sharing by homeowners or renters in the weatherization program. People interested can apply at Community Action at 2020-8th Ave. SE, behind the Holiday Inn or call 839-7221.

Renters must have the agreement of their landlords for any work on rented property. The government is waiving the landlord's 25 percent cost-share on materials as part of the stimulus package.

Once an application is approved, an estimator will visit a residence to determine the work that needs to be done. The weatherization can include furnace replacement or repairs.

The typical savings in energy costs after weatherization is $300 to $400 a year, Soderholm said.

"This is a long-term investment," he said. "It's not just a quick fix."

Because often weatherization clients have been recipients in the federal fuel assistance program, the energy savings can reduce the demand for those federal dollars as well.