Transcript:
In late November, after months of uncertainty, the federal government released billions of dollars to fund the low-income home energy assistance program, or LIHEAP. LIHEAP helps people pay their energy bills so they can keep their homes warm in winter.
But in many cities, programs that could help residents cut their energy use – so their bills are lower – remain under threat.
Shambarger: “There are things that we can do in our homes to cut energy use without impacting the comfort of the home, so things like making sure that our homes are properly insulated, and when it comes time to replace furnaces and air conditioners, to think about heat pumps.”
Erick Shambarger is Milwaukee’s environmental sustainability director. The federal government recently canceled a grant that helped Milwaukee residents pay for energy-saving upgrades like insulation and new heating systems.
And Shambarger says the city will likely never receive a $3.4 million grant that was awarded during the Biden administration to help build highly efficient, affordable housing.
He says Milwaukee is still doing what it can to advance energy efficiency, but with fewer resources.
Shambarger: “So it has been a setback, but we are trying to find a way to move forward as best we can …”
… to help people use less energy, and stay safe, warm, and comfortable at home.
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media / Thanks to the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference for logistical support.
