Seeking to Help More Americans Lower Their Energy Bills, Bipartisan U.S. Senators Urge Trump Admin. to Release Weatherization Aid

WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help residents save on their utility bills and make more homes energy efficient, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), and Susan Collins (R-ME), are teaming up with seventeen of their colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to release nearly $360 million for across the country for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and $66 million for the State Energy Program (SEP).

Noting that the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program both have strong track records, bipartisan support, and offer cost-effective solutions to save families and taxpayers money while cutting air pollution, and supporting thousands of jobs, the nineteen U.S. Senators are calling on U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright of the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately release guidance to states for both the WAP and SEP programs.

"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," the 19 U.S. Senators wrote.

In addition to Reed and Collins, the letter is also signed by U.S. Senators Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Wellch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), the Ranking Member on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

States typically begin their Weatherization programs toward the end of the federal fiscal year, a calendar that has historically insulated the program from appropriations delays. State Energy Program funds follow a similar schedule, with states and territories usually starting their programs on July 1.

However, the 2026 funding process is very behind schedule. So far, the Trump Administration has not published any instructions at all for states to apply for grant funds that would be used starting July 1. These documents are typically available in December of the previous year to allow states to conduct their planning processes, including consultation and public meetings, in time to meet a May 1 submission, which has now passed.

Last year, Rhode Island received $1,863,055 for WAP funds and received $496,310 for SEP. Maine received $4,465,333 for WAP funds and $564,650 for SEP. As a result of the Trump Administration's delays, Rhode Island and Maine have not received the similar amount of federal funds they are expecting, despite repeated requests from states. All other states and territories are in a similar boat.

Across the country, according to the National Community Action Foundation, local WAP implementers report that continued delays in federal guidance and funding create significant operational challenges. Many agencies have had to rely on other funding sources to keep crews and contractors working, and several indicate they can only sustain operations for a limited period without the timely release of FY 2026 funds. Agencies also note that compressed timelines make it difficult to meet production goals, retain skilled contractors, and plan work efficiently.

"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. DOE regulations require the agency to approve or deny timely filed WAP and SEP applications within 60 days. We urge you to speed this review period to minimize adverse impacts on state programs," the Senators wrote.

WAP applications are accepted by Community Action Agencies throughout the year as the program aims to reduce household energy costs while improving health and safety for residents. The program targets older Americans, persons with disabilities, and low-income families with children to create energy cost savings for households that are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in energy costs and health hazards due to poorly constructed or unsafe homes.

WAP & SEP benefits:

• Throughout the history of the program, WAP has helped more than 7.4 million low-income households reduce their energy bills and saved each household an average of $372 in annual energy costs. At a time where energy costs are skyrocketing across the country, it is more important than ever to make energy efficiency investments that will help Americans for the long-term.

• The program supports 8,500 jobs and provides weatherization services to approximately 32,000 homes every year using DOE funds.

• SEP combines the scientific and economic knowledge of the Department of Energy with locally led planning to improve the energy efficiency of hospitals and schools, support clean energy projects, and boost private sector energy innovation. A study by ORNL shows that every federal dollar invested in SEP leverages over $10 for energy-related economic development and produces over $7 in energy savings.

In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Secretary Wright:

We write to urge you to immediately issue Program Year 2026 guidance for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP) to ensure the uninterrupted operation of both programs.

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.

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.

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. DOE regulations require the agency to approve or deny timely filed WAP and SEP applications within 60 days. We urge you to speed this review period to minimize adverse impacts on state programs.

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. Thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents, and we look forward to working with you on these vital programs.

Sincerely,

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