SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $5+ MILLION FOR WAYNE & ULSTER COUNTY TO INCREASE HOME ENERGY EFFECIENCY, BOOST WEATHERIZATION PROGRAMS, AND HELP FAMILIES LOWER ENERGY COSTS
Schumer Secured Funding For Program In Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law Which Will Increase Energy Efficiency And Lower Energy Costs For Families In Ulster & Wayne County While Supporting Good-Paying Clean Energy Jobs
Schumer: As Winter Approaches, We Must Prioritize Energy-Efficient Ways To Keep Homes Warm
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced $5,247,869 for the Ulster and Wayne Community Action Partnerships to provide low-income households with energy efficiency installations that will lower bills and improve the health and safety of residents. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grant program, which Schumer secured funding for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law.
The funding includes $714,569 for the Ulster Community Action Partnership to install solar panels in 98 units in Kingston and $4,533,300 for the Wayne Community Action Partnership to upgrade heat pumps in 12 buildings at the Geneva Housing Authority. The funding will create good-paying clean energy jobs and help as both Community Action Partnerships aim to insulate low-income housing in preparation for winter months.
“More energy efficient housing and lower utility costs will soon be heading to homes from Geneva to Kingston thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law. Over $5 million is on the way to help boost weatherization just in time for winter and help families make their homes more resilient and energy efficient in Ulster & Wayne counties,” said Senator Schumer. “Investments like these are a blueprint for how we can lower costs for families, all while fighting climate change. This funding is a win-win-win, helping families stay warm in the winter, creating good-paying clean energy jobs, and helping us meet our energy efficiency goals.”
“I want to thank Majority Leader Charles Schumer for this important funding, which will enable nearly 100 low-income households in the City of Kingston to benefit from solar on their homes, and for his leadership in passing game-changing legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act that enable critical investments like this in our communities," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "I also want to congratulate Ulster Community Action Partnership on receiving this award and thank the organization for helping our low-income households improve their buildings and reduce energy use and costs. All of our residents, regardless of income, should have access to the benefits of renewable energy, which not only helps fight climate change but also keeps more money in their pockets by reducing utility bills."
Schumer fought to include funding for the SERC grant program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law. Schumer’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) also includes $8.8 billion in rebates for home energy efficiency and electrification projects, which is expected to save American households up to $1 billion annually. The IRA includes $370 billion for clean energy transitions and energy security and also offers tax credits and rebates that can cover up to 100% of the costs of installing a heat pump, which can save families hundreds of dollars per year on energy bills.
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