As Energy Costs Rise, Shaheen Joins Bipartisan Calls for Trump Administration to Release Energy Efficiency Funding that Helps Granite Staters Save Money on Their Utility Bills

(Washington, DC) – As energy prices skyrocket nationally due to President Trump’s war in Iran, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined eighteen of her colleagues on a bipartisan letter urging U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to release nearly $360 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and $66 million for the State Energy Program (SEP) that help Granite Staters save money on their utility bills. Shaheen has long championed WAP to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire and SEP, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The Senators wrote, in part: “WAP and SEP provide vital formula funding to all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to address energy affordability, reliability, and security. WAP provides states with funding to weatherize homes for low-income Americans, saving participants on average $372 on utility bills every year. Conserving energy helps participating households devote their income to other essentials such as food and medicine. SEP provides funding to help states improve energy security, increase energy efficiency, and boost economic growth.” They continued: “DOE typically publishes annual Weatherization Program Notices in December of the prior year to provide state offices adequate time for planning, public comment periods, and DOE approval ahead of April 1 and July 1 Program Year start dates. Similarly, DOE typically publishes annual State Energy Program grant applications in February. However, DOE still has not issued WAP nor SEP application guidance. Without these instructions, state offices do not have necessary information to develop and submit plans, creating uncertainty for program timelines, targets, and workforce planning. Continued delays could cause severe program disruptions, including state program pauses and weatherization network layoffs for subgrantees and home weatherization contractors.” They concluded: “To avoid further delays to program start dates, we urge you to not only immediately release this guidance, but to also speed state application approvals and the release of appropriated funds [...] By expeditiously deploying WAP and SEP formula funds, the Department can make an important difference in improving the reliability of the grid and in helping reduce the burden on Americans who struggle to pay their energy bills.” The full text of the letter can be read HERE . Throughout her time in Congress, Senator Shaheen has fought hard for clean energy and energy efficiency investments that help Granite Staters save money on their utility bills. Shaheen was a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that made landmark investments in energy efficiency and reducing home energy bills. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for WAP, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen recently urged the Trump Administration to release remaining Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, which helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization. Last year, Shaheen and the New Hampshire Congressional delegation called on the Department of Energy to immediately release the remaining $9 million in funding for weatherization from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law . ###