---

July 23, 2018
Contact: Eric Behna, 202.370.3662, ebehna@nascsp.org

WASHINGTON – The National Association for State Community Services Programs released the following statement from Executive Director Jenae Bjelland on Rep. Carlos Curbelo’s (R-FL) carbon tax proposal:

“As our nation works to identify and implement solutions to tackle climate change, we are encouraged that leaders in Congress are recognizing the proven record of the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. By devoting a portion of revenues to weatherization, Rep. Curbelo’s bill would help reduce the energy burden of low-income households, the families that are most at risk of the effects of climate change. The WAP increases the energy efficiency of our nation’s housing stock, reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously supporting thousands of jobs and small businesses across the country. We are also encouraged by other provisions in the bill dedicated to mitigating potential adverse impacts of a carbon tax on low-income families.”

About the Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program weatherizes over 40,000 homes per year, providing comprehensive energy efficiency measures such as insulation, air sealing, efficient HVAC equipment, and more. WAP reduces families’ energy bills while increasing the health and safety of the home. Every federal dollar returns over $4 in benefits according to a study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The program has been in operation since 1976 and has weatherized over 7.4 million homes to date.

About the National Association for State Community Services Program (NASCSP)
NASCSP is the member association for the State Directors of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).