WH Task Force Advises More Weatherization $ - Bush Budget Cuts It By 1/3

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers on Thursday slammed the Bush administration's proposal to cut funds for a government program that helps poor people “weatherize” their homes, even though the White House's energy task force recommended increasing money for the program.

The administration wants to gut 32 percent of the money in the Energy Department's budget for weatherisation assistance grants, which help low-income families buy storm windows and insulation for their homes to make them more energy-efficient. The program's funding would fall to $164.2 million. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy Committee, said slashing the program's funds did not make much sense "at a time when home energy bills are at historically high levels."

Bingaman, speaking at committee hearing on the Energy Department budget, pointed out President Bush pledged during this 2000 campaign to nearly double funding for the program and the White House energy task force headed by Vice President Dick Cheney called for more weatherisation funds. The administration's request of $164.2 million for the weatherisation program is not only a cut, but is also short of the $600 million Congress authorized for the program in a sweeping energy bill that Bush signed into law last August.

Energy Secretary Sam Bodman defended what he described as a "painful" cut in the program's budget, saying the department had a limited amount of money and it was targeted to programs that have the most promising results. "I personally made this decision (to reduce the weatherisation funds) as it came across my desk, and it was strictly knowing how much money I had to spend and where I had to put the funds," he said.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/35062/story.htm

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. So, what are these other programs that are more promising?

What would be more promising than a long term solution that will reduce heating costs in winter as well as cooling costs in summer for a number of years after it was recieved?

Direct heating assistance payments to utility companies that have no subsequent benefit to the household after the payment is made?

[hatrack]

2. Let's have no more of this personal virtue nonsense, NCEvilDUer!!

Everyone knows that conservation is for weak girly-men like Jimmy Carter.

Real men spend wastefully!!!

;-)

[wellstone dem]

3. The plan is clear

global warming.