Pappas Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Speed Up Distribution of Cost-Saving Weatherization Funding
Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure grant funding from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP) are distributed without delay to state agencies and local partners that implement these cost-saving energy initiatives. The bill comes as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continues to delay the distribution of more than $400 million in grant funding from both WAP and SEP despite the rising cost of energy. Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) is a cosponsor of the legislation, and the Senate companion legislation is led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH).
“Energy prices are way too high right now, and Granite Staters are feeling the pinch. I’m working hard to find every way we can put money back in people’s pockets,” said Congressman Pappas. “The Investing in State Energy Act will speed up the delivery of cost-saving weatherization funding to help bring down energy costs and save families and states money. I will continue fighting to deliver federal dollars back to First District residents as quickly as possible to meet their needs and lower their energy bills.”
“We are grateful for the continued support and recognition of the important role the Weatherization program plays in the lives of New Hampshire residents. Our ability to respond to no heat emergencies is completely dependent on our funding and delays mean our community members go without heat during the winter months,” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. “This legislation will enable our agency to respond quickly to help the most vulnerable, at risk residents. Not only will homes be energy efficient, saving hundreds of dollars a year which can now be used for food, gas, and other essential items, but it also creates safe, stable housing.”
“Tri-County Community Action Program serves upwards of 9,000 households every year through our LiHEAP and Weatherization Programs. Legislation ensuring that funding for these vital programs is not delayed will provide much needed assurance to the households who depend on the assistance. We are so pleased with this bipartisan effort to ensure that vulnerable Granite Staters have what they need to help them in the coldest months of the year,” said Jeanne Robillard, CEO of Tri-County Community Action Partnership.
For nearly 50 years, WAP and SEP have provided technical and financial assistance to states, tribal governments, and U.S. territories to encourage the adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency practices and technologies. WAP enables income-eligible families, older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, freeing up limited resources for other essentials like food and medicine. SEP provides cost-shared resources directly to the states for allocations by the governor-designated State Energy Office to support energy projects, such as energy emergency planning and response, private sector innovation in clean energy, and state-driven energy infrastructure modernization.
Specifically, the Investing in State Energy Act would direct the DOE to provide application guidance and publish expected WAP and SEP allocations to states within 60 days of enactment of appropriations for the programs and distribute funding to states and other recipients within 30 days of receiving a completed plan from the applicant. By requiring the publication of expected WAP and SEP awards, the Investing in State Energy Act will ensure states, tribes, and other entities have the information they need in order to effectively plan for expected funding. The ability to conduct such planning encourages local high-impact projects that serve families in need and allows states to continue to make good use of critical resources to meet their energy goals.
"New Yorkers deserve timely access to the resources Congress has already approved to help lower energy costs, improve efficiency, and make our communities more affordable. This legislation cuts through the red tape by setting clear deadlines to ensure funding gets out the door on time and supports the communities that need it most," said Congressman Lawler.
“I’m proud to support the bipartisan Investing in State Energy Act, which will ensure the timely distribution of funding from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program. As a former state energy official, I have seen firsthand how vital these programs are to ensuring that Americans across the nation can afford their energy bills. Unfortunately, President Trump’s DOE has regularly delayed and withheld critical funding from these programs, denying Americans access to resources that help state governments in their efforts to lower energy costs. With utility bills continuing to rise, it is more important than ever that these funds are made available as quickly as possible,” said Congressman Tonko.
The Investing in State Energy Act is endorsed by the National Association of State Energy Officials, the Building Performance Association, and the National Association for State Community Services Programs.
“The National Community Action Foundation, on behalf of the nation's 1,000 Community Action Agencies, wholeheartedly endorses the Investing in State Energy Act of 2026. When enacted, it will help ensure that vital Weatherization funds, which are so important in our low-income communities, will be released in a timely manner. This legislation will also ensure that work can be completed without delay, a trained Weatherization workforce will be retained, and that thousands of low-income families will be able to stay in their homes and withstand the pressures from rising energy costs. We at the National Community Action Foundation look forward to working with the sponsors, Representatives Chris Pappas and Mike Lawler, to get this vital piece of legislation enacted into law,” said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation.
“The states appreciate the leadership of Rep. Pappas and Rep. Lawler in promoting this sensible bipartisan legislation. When Congress acts to fund the State Energy Program and the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, families, consumers, and businesses should not have to wait a year to have these funds dedicated for useful purposes helping Americans. This legislation will require the Department of Energy to speed the release of the funds,” said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials.
“The Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program are critical to energy affordability, reliability and security,” said Steve Skodak, CEO of the Building Performance Association. “BPA member contractors perform home upgrades for WAP projects across the country, lowering energy bills and improving home health, safety, and comfort. Ensuring the prompt delivery of these funds through the Investing in State Energy Act will benefit both low-income American households and the home performance contractors who serve them.”
Background:
Pappas is a fierce advocate for efforts that lower energy costs for Granite Staters and programs that help low-income families pay their bills. He also leads the bipartisan Heroes Home Energy Savings Act, which would reauthorize and increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation Grant to spur innovation in weatherization and provide active duty and reserve military families with grants to help lower their energy costs. Pappas is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025, which would reauthorize and improve WAP and guarantee the program can continue to provide weatherization services to tens of thousands of homes every year and save households hundreds on their energy costs. Last year he led the New Hampshire delegation in calling on the DOE to immediately release $9 million in funding for New Hampshire from WAP.
He has also previously introduced, cosponsored, or called for the passage of the following legislation: his bipartisan Energy Burden Tax Credit Act, his bipartisan Transmission Facilitation Program Reauthorization, his bipartisan Bolstering Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Act, the bipartisan Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act, and the Energy Independence and Affordability Act. He also helped launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus.