Cold times for conservation. [Cuts in low income weatherization program]

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Environ. Action; (United States)

OSTI ID:5744230

Lyman, F

There are about a million families living at or below poverty level, who have cut down their energy use in the last few years through the help of the federal low income weatherization program. One of several energy conservation programs launched in the early days of the energy crisis, it was set up to reach the poor and elderly, since they're the ones most keenly affected by high energy prices. Weatherization was considered a better way of helping than doling out fuel assistance checks, which simply carry the poor from one winter's crisis to another and end up in the pockets of utility companies. The program has made great strides since it was started as a pilot project in 1975. But, like other energy conservation programs, its days may be numbered. Weatherization efforts have slowed down as a result of budget cuts and increased costs, and the program could be phased out completely by fiscal year 1983. With President Reagan's plan to dismantle the Department of Energy (DOE), a whole slew of energy conservation and research programs are likely to be wiped out next year unless Congress mounts significant opposition. (JMT)

• OSTI ID: 5744230
• Journal Information: Environ. Action; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Action; (United States) Vol. 13:7; ISSN ENACD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
ALLOCATIONS
BUILDINGS
COST
ENERGY CONSERVATION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MINORITY GROUPS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POPULATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WEATHERIZATION