Nevada gets $72 million to Weatherize Homes

Thanks to Nevada’s Democratic delegation, the state will receive $71.9 million for weatherization and energy efficiency programs from the Department of Energy as part of the recovery package. The funds for Nevada are part of a nearly $8 billion nationwide energy efficiency effort.

“With the latest influx of funds from the recovery package, Nevadans will save hundreds of dollars on their energy bills while providing a jolt to a growing industry that will create good jobs for our region,” Congresswoman Titus said last week.  “These funds will also promote energy efficiency and take steps toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

According to the Department of Energy, Nevada will receive $37,281,937 for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which allows low-income families to make their homes more energy efficient and reduce their utility bills by 32 percent on average, and $34,714,000 for the State Energy Program, which will give rebates to consumers for home energy audits and energy-saving home improvements.

Stimulus Money put to Work for Nevada

Sen. Harry Reid released an economic recovery guide this week that will help organizations, including the state of Nevada, compete for additional funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Reid already secured $1.5 billion for Nevada as part of the bill, but there are additional funds available as part of the $800 billion package as well. For more information, or to view the guide, click here.

Meanwhile, Gov. Jim Gibbons announced last week that in a cruel and shortsighted move, he would potentially deny help to Nevadans that need it most by turning back federal recovery funding to increase and extend unemployment benefits. With unemployment topping 10 percent, the move would amount to taking money out of the pockets of those hit hardest by these tough economic times.

But Nevada’s Democratic leaders in the legislature are making a key end run around Gibbons to ensure hardworking Nevadans who can’t find work during hard times get the help they need and deserve. The legislature is considering a bill that would allow the state to take $286 million in federal unemployment funding – including $77 million to increase and extend benefits and to part-time and construction workers who wouldn’t otherwise be covered.

Also thanks to Sen. Reid’s hard work, Nevada will receive an additional $100 million to bring jobs and housing relief to Nevada, as well as improve health care and education. The omnibus bill includes more than $18.7 million for Nevada roads, highways and mass transportation and nearly $15 million for energy projects that will create good jobs in Nevada. It will also provide $5.4 million for schools and $4.6 million for health care to help offset shortfalls in state funding during these tough budget times.