MassInsider

Press Release: 2021-12-06

Trahan, U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm Highlight Historic Federal Weatherization Investments:

Washington, December 3, 2021

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and fellow elected officials to highlight unprecedented federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will weatherize homes and buildings across the Commonwealth and save hardworking families money.

“Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Bay Staters will not only benefit from safer roads and bridges, cleaner drinking water, and more accessible public transit, but they will also see their utility bills go down as well,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The weatherization funding included in the package will support upgrades to homes and buildings that keep them warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer, reducing energy usage and keeping money in families’ pockets. These efforts also mean reduced emissions, which is key in the fight against the climate crisis. I was proud to cast my vote for these once-in-a-generation investments, and I’m even prouder to show Secretary Granholm the incredible ways they’ll be put to use across Massachusetts.”

In addition to historic investments in upgrading Massachusetts’ roads, bridges, water systems, and public transit systems, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act contains billions to combat the climate crisis and strengthen the Commonwealth’s climate resiliency. During visits to the Boston Arts Academy and a family home in Malden today, Trahan and Granholm highlighted funding coming to the Commonwealth from the legislation’s $3.5 billion allocated to weatherize homes and buildings. These investments will drive down utility costs for families and reduce energy consumption by keeping buildings warmer during colder months and cooler during hotter ones.

At the first stop, Trahan and Granholm, as well as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, toured the Boston Arts Academy, which is part of Boston’s energy efficiency and climate resiliency capital improvement project. The City is currently planning to construct a new, energy efficient facility – one of four currently planned in Boston alone – designed to accommodate 500 students. More than a third of the facilities’ construction will be reimbursed by the state. Boston Public Schools has also invested heavily over the past two years in energy-efficiency and cost-saving upgrades to schools, including replacing nearly 3,000 school windows and replacing outdated roofs and boilers. To support important initiatives like this, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds a $500 million grant program over five years for efficiency building codes in public schools.

Trahan and Granholm then visited the home of Cindy Yu and her family in Malden, where they were joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05). Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc. (CAPIC), a nonprofit focused on supporting low-income families, recently completed weatherization efficiency upgrades on the Yu family’s home. To bolster the work of CAPIC and nonprofits like it across the Commonwealth, the bipartisan infrastructure law establishes a pilot program to award grants to upgrade buildings with energy-efficient materials, including roof or lighting systems, windows and doors, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that are cost effective and achieve energy savings.

Trahan supported passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk where he signed it into law. A preliminary breakdown of funding Massachusetts will receive for a number of initiatives can be accessed by clicking HERE.