More Mentions in the Blogosphere

February 22, 2008

“Should a Global Climate Agreement Hold the US to a Higher Standard?”
– Paul Calhoun, Environmental Help
http://environmentalhelp.typepad.com/environmental_help/2008/02/should-a-global.html
Supportive of WAP as positive environmental policy. Seems unaware of full amount of cut to WAP in President’s budget, but calls for support of WAP at $300 million for FY09.

February 19, 2008

“Energy Imports, Conservation, & National Security”
– Chimera-Gaia blog
http://chimera-gaia.blogspot.com/2008/02/energy-imports-conservation-national_19.html
Pro-conservation. Critical of DOE for not being supportive of WAP.

February 14, 2008

“Bush Administration Flip-Flops on Weatherization Assistance Program”
– New England Fuel Assistance
http://www.nefi.com/NEON/neon_PDFS/NEON_Feb_14_2008.pdf
Explains Bush’s zeroing out of WAP and calls for funding closer to authorized levels. Also critical of removal of language supportive of program on DOE website.

This Week in Blogs

February 13, 2008

“The Modern World” – OZ, Earth Family Alpha
http://earthfamilyalpha.blogspot.com/2008/02/modern-world.html
Critical of President’s zeroing out of WAP and removal of positive language from website.

February 12, 2008

“A New Blueprint for Lending: Energy Efficiency” -

Smoo, Local Warming
http://local-warming.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-blueprint-for-lending-energy.html
Discusses the increased economic impact of energy efficiency and questions the elimination of WAP funding in the President’s budget.

“Climate Change/Pollution – Info and Small Rant”

– Helwen, Off the Beaten Track
http://helwen.livejournal.com/154500.html
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and removal of positive language from website. Seems to believe program was eliminated entirely.

“Government for the Wealthy, Without a Doubt…”

– Timothy V. Gatto, LiberalPro
http://liberalpro.blogspot.com/2008/02/government-for-wealthy-without-doubt.html
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget, among other issues.

“Senate Hearing Exchange that Says it All” –

Wabi-Sabi, Born in the USA- Citizen of the World
http://bobbie-mouse.livejournal.com/916237.html
Quotes question of Bodman during Energy Hearing that strongly supports WAP.

“Weatherization Assistance” –

About.com’s US Government Info ‘What’s Hot Now’ Section
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/federalbenefitprograms/p/weatherpro.htm
Definition and description of WAP added to site as new issue of interest.

February 11, 2008

“Bush Proposes Elimination of Low Income Home Weatherization Program” – Gerry Norlander, Pulp Network
http://pulpnetwork.blogspot.com/2008/02/bush-proposes-elimination-of-low-income.html
Critical of President’s zeroing out of WAP and removal of positive language from website.

“Bush Responds to Congressman Markey’s Questions About WAP Cuts…”

– NASCSP
http://wxprogram.blogspot.com/2008/02/bodman-responds-to-congressman-markeys.html
Critical of President’s zeroing out of WAP and removal of positive language from website.

“FY2009 Budget Request Means Big Cuts for Efficiency, Renewables” –

Denis Du Bois, Energy Priorities
http://energypriorities.com/entries/2008/02/fy_2009_budget_energy.php
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and other key programs.

“Keeping Scientists in Line” –

Energy Bulletin
http://www.energybulletin.net/40203.html
Critical of removal of positive language from DOE Website after cutting WAP. Discusses in Orwellian terms.

“Words About Weatherization” –

David Bradley, NCAF
http://ncaf.blogspot.com/2008/02/words-about-weatherization.html
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and removal of positive language from website.

February 10, 2008

“Bodman as Orwell” -

Gristmill
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/10/05217/0821
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and removal of positive language from website.

February 9, 2008

“Bush Doublespeak: ‘Prosperity and Peace and in the Balance’” –

Steve Crickmore, Wizbang Blue
http://wizbangblue.com/2008/02/09/bush-doublespeak-prosperity-and-peace-are-in-the-balance.php
Uses elimination of positive language on WAP from DOE website as example of Orwellian nature of current Administration.

February 8, 2008

“And by ‘Successful’ We Mean ‘Socialist’” –

Jonathan Kulick, The Reality Based Community
http://www.samefacts.com/archives/energy_and_environment_/2008/02/and_by_successful_we_mean_socialist.php Mentions removal of positive language on WAP from website and subsequent fallout..

“Oops!” – Brian Beutler
http://www.brianbeutler.com/2008/02/oops/
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and removal of positive language from website.

“The Bush Administration is…” –

Leisure Guy, Later On
http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/the-bush-administration-is/
Mentions removal of positive language on WAP from website and subsequent fallout.

“Weatherization Assistance Program for Low Income Persons” –

Money Scoop
Explains program and how to apply for benefits.

February 7, 2008

“Bush Budget Would Bring Record Deficits-

Nevada Thunder
http://nevadathunder.com/?p=5118
Critical of President’s budget. Mentions zeroing out of WAP.

“Bodman as Orwell: DOE Erases ‘Most Successful’ Weatherization Program…” –

Joe, Climate Progress
http://climateprogress.org/2008/02/07/bodman-as-orwell-doe-erases-most-successful-weatherization-program-from-website/
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and removal of positive language from website.

“Essay: Budget Blues – 2/7/08” –

Todd Mundt, Jack Lessenberry Essays and Interviews
http://jackshow.blogs.com/jack/2008/02/essay-budget-bl.html
Critical of President’s cuts to budget including zeroing out of WAP.

February 6, 2008

“Realism, Not Rhetoric” -

Gristmill
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/5/162252/0067
Questions the President’s commitment to energy efficiency after the zeroing out of WAP and severe cuts to other programs with environmental benefits.


“Lame Budget from a Lame Duck Administration” –

Heather Taylor, Switchboard from the National Resources Defense Council
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/htaylor/lame_budget_from_a_lame_duck_a.html
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and severe cuts to other programs with social and environmental benefits.

February 5, 2008

“Bush, the Uncompassionate, Anti-Technology President” –

Gristmill
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/2/4/134445/0667
Critical of President’s elimination of WAP funding in his 2009 budget and severe cuts to other programs with social and environmental benefits.

Bodman Responds to Congressman Markey's Questions About WAP Cuts and Changes to Website

Below is Secretary Bodman's response to questions regarding the rationale behind zeroing out the Weatherization Assistance Program and the removal of favorable language on the Program from the Department's website.

We thank Congressman Markey for his continued support of weatherization and low income families it serves.

President’s Budget Gives America’s Families the Cold Shoulder

Budget Eliminates Funding for Low Income Weatherization Program, Cuts Energy Assistance

Washington, DC – Advocates for energy conservation and America’s low-income families were disappointed and “left out in the cold” last Monday when the President announced his budget for Fiscal Year 2009. Despite measurable returns and numerous benefits to both the economy and the environment, the Administration and the Department of Energy have asked Congress to eliminate all funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Administration as also requested that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) receive a 22% cut to $1.7 billion in formula funding and $300 million emergency funding.

Funded through the Department of Energy and administered by state governments and a local network of 900 local agencies, the Weatherization Assistance Program is one of the largest energy efficiency programs in the country and provides invaluable assistance to improve the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by vulnerable low-income households, including the elderly, the disabled and families with children.

These devastating cuts to the WAP have come in the wake of a series of proposals by officials inside the Department to radically restructure the program in lieu of continuing its effective investments in these homes. Vaughn Clark, Director of the Office of Community Development for the State of Oklahoma and Chair of the National Association for State Community Services Programs expressed his concern regarding the President’s decision to reduce funding for these programs. “It is baffling that the Administration would dismiss a program that is currently producing substantial energy savings for our nation and reducing our energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil a year; a program that creates a 25% to 30% reduction in primary heating fuel use for the low income households we serve.”

“And it is highly irresponsible that the Administration and the Department would eliminate WAP and cut LIHEAP programs now when our nation is nearing a recession and thousands of low income families across the nation are facing no heat situations” Clark stated.

The Department of Energy has also failed to enact a National Evaluation of the program that was previously agreed to by the Office of Management and Budget and the states. Representatives from across the network continue to urge the Department to conduct this evaluation to reaffirm the successful metrics for the program.

“A national evaluation would eliminate any perceived justification the Department of Energy might have for cutting altering, or dismantling this critical program. We are confident the results of the evaluation will both confirm our previous data that shows the program as extremely cost effective and will recommend ways in which we can make it even better – for the low-income families we serve and the country,” Clark said.

For more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program, please visit http://www.waptac.org.

###

Markey Ridicules Change On Energy Dept. Web Site

Fortunately, much of the Department's praise was preserved in the above screen shot and can be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Words of praise for an Energy Department weatherization program were removed from its Web site shortly after the program was proposed for elimination in President Bush's FY09 budget Monday, House Global Warming Chairman Markey said Thursday.

The weatherization assistance program that enables low-income families to reduce energy bills through home-efficiency measures was billed on the Web site Monday as "this country's longest running, and perhaps most successful energy efficiency program," Markey said at a hearing on the department budget.

The line was erased by Wednesday, after the budget proposal called for eliminating the program. "Instead of insulating the poor against high energy costs, the Department of Energy is more concerned with insulating themselves against embarrassment," Markey said.

Energy spokeswoman Julie Ruggiero said the language was removed during a regular update of the Web site. "We proposed to cut [the weatherization program] because its funding competes with key investments," she added.

Cantwell: President’s Budget Continues to Shortchange Americans

WASHINGTON, DC – Monday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) expressed her dismay at the president’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget which, as in years past, breaks commitments to Washington state residents and does nothing to curb the rising costs of energy, health care and education. Cantwell looks forward to working with the next administration in crafting a budget that is not only fiscally responsible, but protects successful programs benefitting small businesses and the middle class.

Cantwell identified eight specific ways the administration’s budget request falls short. Below is her language regarding the Weatherization Assistance Program:

Weatherizing Program: The President’s budget cut the government’s most successful energy efficiency effort, the Weatherization Assistance Program. The program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization services free of charge to approximately 100,000 low-income households every year, 9 percent of whom have annual incomes of less than $15,000, and two-thirds earn less than $8,000 per year. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 31 percent and overall energy bills by $358 per year. This year, using funds already appropriated, Washington state will receive $4.5 million dollars from the DOE Weatherization program which will help provide services to 1300 households.

“At a time of economic uncertainty when American’s can’t afford to heat their homes, this is not the time for the Administration to make cuts to energy efficient programs,” said Cantwell. “Nearly 1,300 households in Washington state will benefit from this program in 2008.”

President's FY2009 Budget

It was announced earlier today that the Administration and Department of Energy have zeroed-out funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program in the FY2009 budget offered by the President. It is now up to Congress to fulfill its commitment to the program by providing critical funding at or above this year’s level.

This is the first time in over a decade that any administration has attempted to eliminate this program. And it is highly irresponsible that they would do so now when our nation is nearing a recession and thousands of low income families across the nation are facing no heat situations.

In other news, LIHEAP has received a 22% cut in the President’s FY09 budget to $1.7billion in formula funding and $300 million emergency funding. State Energy Program funding has been listed at levels of $25 million in formula funding and $25 million for competitive grants.

The National Partners will be holding a Congressional Briefing tomorrow, February 5 and a press conference later next week at the National Press Club to address these outcomes. In the meantime, we will continue to hold meetings with Congress throughout the budget process.

As always, we will keep you posted as we learn more.