Weatherization & Home Energy Efficiency

Federal and state Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) help income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy efficiency measures. NCLC works for adequate funding and policies to keep properties affordable for residents after improvements are made.

Policy Analysis

Policy Briefs, Reports & Press Releases

• Policy Brief: Air-Source Heat Pumps: Protecting the Financial-Wellbeing of Low-Income Families While Addressing Climate Change, July 2021
• Report: Smart Thermostats: Assessing Their Value in Low-Income Weatherization Programs, Jan. 2020; Press Release
• Press release: Advocates Applaud Senate Bill to Boost Energy Security for Low-Income Families Across the United States, Jan. 23, 2019
• Report: Lean and Green: The Massachusetts Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN), Nov. 2014
• Partnering for Success: An Action Guide for Advancing Utility Energy Efficiency Funding for Multifamily Rental Housing, March 2013
• Low Income Weatherization: Stimulus-Funded Programs Shines but Storm Clouds are on the Horizon, Nov. 29, 2012
• NCLC et al. Initial Brief re: “Applications of CA Investor Owned Utilities for Approval of Energy Savings Assistance Programs and Budgets,” Feb. 2, 2012
• Up the Chimney: How HUD’s Inaction Costs Taxpayers Millions and Drives Up Utility Bills for Low-Income Families Report, August 2010
• Statement of NCLC and Texas Legal Services Center for the June 18, 2009 Department of Energy Public Hearing on Proposed Rule Changes to the Weatherization Program, June 2009

Testimony and Comments

• Comments to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Opposing Proposed Changes to the federal poverty line adjustment methodology (Directive No. 14, “Consumer Inflation Measures Produced by Federal Statistical Agencies,” Docket No. OMB-2019-0002), June 21, 2019
• Testimony for the U.S. House and Senate re: FY 2013 Appropriations for the US. Department of Energy Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, Mar. 30, 2012
• Reply Testimony of NCLC attorney Charles Harak before the CA Public Utilities Commission re: energy efficiency programs for multifamily housing, Dec. 9, 2011
• NCLC And TLSC Comments to the Department of Energy on Proposed Rule Changes to the Weatherization Program, June 2009

Letters

• Sign-on letter urging Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to support greater energy efficiency investments in multifamily affordable housing, April 17, 2012

Additional Resources

• Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Progress Report and Energy Action Plan – Report to Congress, December 2012.
• “Prepaid Utility Service and Revenue Decoupling” by National Resource Defense Council Energy Program Co-director Ralph Cavanagh and NCLC Senior Energy Policy Analyst John Howat published in the Electricity Policy Journal, May 2, 2012
• U.S. Sets First Regional Energy-Saving Standards for ACs and Furnaces, June 2011
• Bright Idea: New Energy-Efficient Lighting Standards
• NCLC has conducted a review of State Landlord-Tenant Weatherization Agreements for specific provisions that help protect low-income tenants from these unintended consequences of weatherization.
• NCLC’s Energy and Utility Publications and Resources