The Energy Department's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and its network of Alaskan service providers are working to improve the condition of the state’s affordable housing stock, while reducing utility bills for low-income Alaskans.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is committed to providing assistance for states to develop high-impact, clean energy programs to reduce energy costs and consumption. Thanks to financial and technical assistance from the office, many remote communities and Alaska Native villages are finding new ways to stay warm and save money despite the state’s harsh climate and power distribution challenges.
Strategic investments by the State Energy Program (SEP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are supporting new energy efficiency activities, including planning and development for rural communities with high energy costs, and improvements in multi-family homes.
SEP provides financial assistance through two funding mechanisms: formula grants and competitive awards. Through these financial opportunities, SEP invested more than $900,000 in Alaska through its state energy office (Alaska Energy Authority) in 2015 and 2016.
Energy Department financial support for Alaska is helping remote facilities like the Toksook Bay Well House to identify critical savings opportunities with energy monitoring software.
Last year, Alaska Energy Authority partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to invest $300,000 in SEP competitive funds to kick-start energy efficiency development in public facilities located in under-served, rural communities. This funding is expected to help leverage Alaska’s existing financing offerings for public buildings, some of which were developed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state estimates that the two-year award will result in an aggregate annual savings of 17 billion British thermal units (Btu) and $500,000 in annual energy cost savings.
In 2015 and 2016, WAP invested more than $3.2 million in formula grants to support weatherization in the state of Alaska. Alaska’s weatherization network of service providers are working to improve the condition of the state’s affordable housing stock, while reducing utility bills for low-income Alaskans and improving the health of their homes. One weatherization service provider in the state, the Alaska Community Development Corporation, implemented an Enhanced Weatherization Program to provide housing upgrades through extensive repairs, heating and electrical improvements, and energy conservation measures in Alaska’s Lake and Peninsula Borough.
Households in these rural communities face increased energy and transportation costs for goods and services. They are also particularly vulnerable to the direct impacts of climate change. The Enhanced Weatherization Program helps supplement the state budget for retrofits and allows service providers to completely rehabilitate existing structures to dramatically improve the resiliency of rural housing stock and to increase the comfort of its occupants.
With EERE investment and support, state energy offices and state-led weatherization networks across the nation are setting a standard for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment and best practices, while also improving the lives of Americans every day.
RACEE Competition
The third and final phase of the $4 million Remote Alaska Communities Energy Efficiency Competition kicked off with the release of a funding opportunity announcement in early June. In the first two phases of the competition, remote communities and Native Alaska villages were asked to pledge to reduce per capita energy use 15% by 2020 and apply for technical assistance expertise to reach their goal. Sixty-four communities pledged and were designated as Community Efficiency Champions, and 13 were selected for technical assistance. This fall, up to five communities will be selected to receive funding for implementation.
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What are the key facts?
- Strategic investments by the State Energy Program (SEP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are supporting new energy efficiency activities, including planning and development for rural communities with high energy costs, and improvements in multi-family homes.
- SEP invested more than $900,000 in Alaska through its state energy office (Alaska Energy Authority) in 2015 and 2016. This funding is expected to help leverage Alaska’s existing financing offerings for public buildings, some of which were developed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- In 2015 and 2016, WAP invested more than $3.2 million in formula grants to support weatherization in the state of Alaska.
- Alaska’s weatherization network of service providers are working to improve the condition of the state’s affordable housing stock, while reducing utility bills for low-income Alaskans and improving the health of their homes.
Learn more about the Weatherization & Intergovernmental Programs Office