California will get $183 million in federal funds just to weatherize homes. Now, this is a tremendous improvement from the $6.3 million originally budgeted, but I’m speculating there’s a dark side to this story…
The reason there is a push of money into the weatherization program is because money in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) that is set aside for construction is underutilized. Remember, projects need to be “shovel ready” to receive money under ARRA. With state budgets in the tank before ARRA, there are not a lot of projects that fit the criteria. Now, money is still on the table, and the clock ticking. The federal government is looking for ways to spend and get the construction industry back on its feet.
Weatherization is a good start. It addresses remodeling, which is an area of construction that is woefully overlooked by the green building sector.
Check back here later to find out more about ARRA funds and green building. In the meantime, click here to read an article from the AP on the weatherization windfall.
