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.