Granholm touts home weatherizing
Malden mom Cindy Yu faced the ultimate utility nightmare last winter: her boiler broke down, literally leaving her family out in the cold. But a local nonprofit stepped in to save the day, replacing her boiler through a weatherization program that just got a $3.5 billion bump from the newly passed federal infrastructure bill.
“They came in and helped us, which was awesome. With my two little babies, it means a lot for our family,” Yu said.
“Cindy is one of millions of people across the country who has taken advantage of the weatherization assistance program. That funding just got a lot bigger,” U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.
The bipartisan federal infrastructure bill passed last month will do more than improve highways and bridges — some 700,000 U.S. households will have their homes refitted to better protect their families against the elements.
“This $3.5 billion that we have is going to be used across the country, especially in the poorest communities, and $7 billion dollars for low-income heating assistance,” U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-mass.) said.
The additional funding could have a big impact here in New England, where harsh winters can send routine heating bills through the roof. A major event like a boiler breakdown can seriously stress a family’s budget. Data from legislators shows about two-thirds of U.S. households spend a significant chunk of their income paying for heat and other utilities.
Granholm joined Markey, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark and other legislators in front of Yu’s home Friday to demonstrate the effectiveness of weatherization programs for low-income households. Through the existing weatherization program, Yu not only got her boiler replaced, she got a full assessment of the energy efficiency of her home. Her neat single-family house is meticulously cared for, with black shutters and two lanterns hanging next to the front door. But the assessment showed her house needed its entire insulation replaced, along with its heating system.
Those upgrades have changed winters in the Yu family.
“I feel that our house is so cozy and warm,” Yu said.